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COEffilGHT DEPOSIT. 



Social Plans for Young 



People 

For Pleasure and Profit 



/ 1 c 2- 



fly 
CHRISTIAN F. REISNER, D. D. 

Author of " Workable Plans 
for Wide- Awake Churches." 




CINCINNATI: JENNINGS AND GRAHAM 
NEW YORK: EATON AND MAINS 



LIBRARY of 00 MV .~SS> 
I wo Cosies rtece<>dv 

MAY 22 1900 

^~ 50PY 8. 



COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY 
JENNINGS AND GRAHAM 



CONTENTS. 

I. Winning Young People to Christ Through 

the Social Nature, 13 

II. Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People, 37 

III. Special Occasions Promising Profit and Social 

. Joy, 56 

IV. Methods for Melting People into Friendliness, 81 
V. Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged in 

Socials, - 112 

VI. Stimulating Educational Development in the 

Socials, - - 134 

VII. Planting Religious Information in the Social 

Life, 155 

VIII. Church Aid Work for Social Hearted Young 

People, 179 

IX. Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

by Directed Socials, 198 

X. Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers — Suggestions 

for Refreshments — Various Guessing Lists, 216 



INTRODUCTION. 

THIS book is the product of experience. A social 
Church has been my ideal from my first 
pastorate. Books and clippings have accumu- 
lated. The suggestions are not all original. All 
uncredited methods have been revised and reshaped 
under use and a little thought. They have come from 
so many sources that credit can not be given to the 
original suggestors. A very few were presented in a 
slightly different shape in my former book, "Workable 
Plans for Wide-awake Churches." Untested things 
have seldom been admitted. Several years of close and 
vital association with young people's work has enabled 
me to discover and try many social plans. I started 
as a Young People's Society officer at fifteen years of 
age, and that was beyond "day before yesterday." The 
book began at a training-school held in Kansas six years 
ago. It crystalized into more formal shape in the 
summer of 1906 from lectures given at the Des Plaines 
(Illinois) Camp Grounds. Some stalwart men may 
question the wisdom of a pastor putting out social plans. 
Before delivering the lecture the first time, some feared 
that the spirituality of the assembly might be injured 

5 



Introduction 



by them. At the close these godly brethren assured me 
that nothing could possibly aid a Church more if sanely 
used. This sentiment, expressed from Pennsylvania to 
New Mexico by individuals hearing these plans, de- 
livered as lectures, has given me courage to put them 
into shape. My one supreme purpose in life is, to make 
disciples for the Great Teacher. There is no other 
way for men and women to reach their best or to do 
the largest work in the world, but to follow Him. 
I would not touch pencil to paper to write this book 
if I did not believe that it would help to show the 
Young People the winsomeness, the high leadership 
and the victory-power of the Man of Galilee, our 
Savior. It will take sanity and consecration, high pur- 
pose, and tact to work many of the plans. I am sure, 
however, that in the hands of the right people social 
plans can help to show that the "joy of the Lord" is 
the real joy that men are seeking after. Spirituality 
and sociability are twin brothers. 

Rev. J. G. Greenough, in opening the chapter on 
"The Water Made Wine" in "The Miracles of Jesus," 
says: "The first miracle which Jesus wrought was done 
at a wedding feast, the happiest occasion of human 
life." He heads another paragraph: "Christ com- 
mencing His redeeming work in an atmosphere of joy," 
and adds: "That opening should never be forgotten, 
for it spreads its glad and tender coloring over all 
the rest. We are told that He who came to heal 
all sorrows introduced Himself with the sunny 

6 



Introduction 



gladness of one who could enter into all pure joys." 
The Church needs to remember this fact. Once 
Christians negated the pleasure life. That seemed suffi- 
cient. They are wiser to-day. They rather undertake 
to direct and control. A somber, laughless religion will 
never attract the young. Funless theology builds fanati- 
cism. The sunlight of joy alone keeps faith healthy. 
Happiness of the natural sort does not come alone from 
spiritual contemplation and religious work. It is re- 
lated to physical states. Social joy results from brother- 
liness, and in learning to love our brother we find how 
to love God. Material pleasure of a sweet and heart- 
ening order may then aid sane spirituality. To win 
friends is to equip ourselves to win "souls." Some at 
Athens "clave unto Paul and believed." The rest 
turned away from Christ. The friend-maker is a 
disciple-winner. Cordiality opens blind eyes to the 
nearby Elder Brother. Good fellowship is always the 
forerunner of a revival. All encouragements of Church 
friendliness, therefore, stimulate the Kingdom's growth. 
It is even still necessary to disprove Satan's allegation 
that "religion is a dry creed with all the pleasure and 
laughter squeezed out." Young people, especially, are 
advised by the great Liar and his aides that "fun days" 
can only be satisfactorily spent out in the "world." 
"Join the Church when you settle down," he says. 
Other folks have been frozen into doubt by cold-storage 
religious plants. Some have been frightened away by 
unsympathetic frigidity or even mistreatment by "pro- 

7 



Introduction 



fessed" Christians. We must meet and melt them by 
hearty and united kindliness. 

Jesus illustrated the gospel invitation by a feast. 
When regular guests failed, others were compelled to 
come. This parable frequently works when taken lit- 
erally. We may draw unbelievers into regular ban- 
quets and then give them a taste of the gospel that 
can not be brought to them in any other way. We 
may by various sorts of socials draw different classes 
into the Church, and there win them by putting them 
among a Christian company. The very atmosphere, the 
happy faces, the touching cordiality, the peaceful faith 
of the people, will mellow the heart for good seed. 
They may only come back to the regular Church service 
to see newly-made friends, but will then hear the 
gospel. Strangers and occasional comers can here be 
talked to in a close and personal way, which is im- 
possible in the audience-room aisle. Grace Church 
rarely, if ever, has a social without finding some one 
ready, after a little explanation and urging, to stand 
out clearly for Christ. If this did not result, we 
would hold no more socials. In the warming asso- 
ciations of Christians, men see the beauties of Christ. 

But the winning of disciples is not the only thing to 
be sought for in Church work. We must build stal- 
wart, worth-while believers. This is accomplished not 
alone by Sunday-school and pulpit instruction. People 
must be made hungry for better information and higher 
usefulness. Socials may create interest in needed doc- 

8 



Introduction 



trines, in valuable religious and general history, in "en- 
riching" reading, and along many practical channels 
that tend to build bigger people* 

People must be harnessed up to some specific sort of 
Church work if they count as members. In this busy 
day that is no easy task. We can not hire enough 
assistants to fit the harness and fasten the traces. By 
exhibition of various lines of Church work, by touching 
the conscience and peculiar likes, and by showing the 
rich fruit-promising soil, we must arouse people to hitch 
themselves up and seat a driver. Youth's enthusiasm 
must not be frittered away in froth. It is an eternal 
waste to permit its loss on the dance-floor and similar 
places. Beautiful hearts, laughing eyes, and satisfied 
desires are created in enthusiastic, personally-fitted 
Church aid work of various sorts. It must be colored 
and channeled by the social life. That is easy. It will 
come about in a natural way if heart-rooting informa- 
tion is dispensed in a spring-like atmosphere. Young 
folks will not be bossed. They will be reasoned 
with. The foolish loss occasioned by silly pleas- 
ure can be pointed out to the young with right 
samples and methods. No youth is willing to whittle 
time away. We must direct the fiery energy of the 
young, or it will shoot at random or explode. If 
guided in a "building" way, it will not very often jump 
the track. It is fine fun to point out an enduring mon- 
ument that has just been finished. Young people's 
societies fall to death because they are not loaded with 

9 



Introduction 



ambition arousing tasks. They enjoy pointing to a 
piano bought, a window encased, a missionary sup- 
ported, by their organization. The Crusaders were not 
old people. The student volunteers are not middle- 
aged. Appeal to chivalry in youth and they will move 
a mountain. If, therefore, we employ happiness to 
attract them to us, and then in a joyous atmosphere 
light up an open door, the crowd will file through into 
the field of winning endeavor. 

Many of the plans could just as well go under other 
chapter headings in the book. They can be employed 
for many more than the suggested purposes. The cer- 
tain sort of loose progress in the order of the plans is 
not always clear, though each suggestion is meant to 
prepare the way for the next. The common criticism 
of prizes will come. Prizes are not indispensable. 
Some other designations may be employed. "Reward" 
or "award" is a better word than "prize." No one 
objects to a medal when one earns it by work and su- 
perior ability. The prize should be only an award for 
work and merit in the games and programs. Such re- 
wards spur people to their best. 

Every plan must fit local conditions and feelings. 
Some Christians strongly object to social life in the 
Church or amopg Church organizations. Prayerfully- 
planned socials under a high motive and in the eyes of 
intelligent and unprejudiced leaders will dispel such op- 
position. If it still lives, then we must proceed as we do 
in all hard, cold, unreasonable hinderings of the King- 

10 



Introduction 



dom's advance. We own all things as Christ's dis- 
ciples. Anything not wrong in itself can be turned to 
service. We must do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. 
Our purpose to build the Kingdom must be uppermost 
and at the core of our hearts. Then pray, ponder, plan, 
and push until youth's zeal and strength is back of the 
Master's cause and interests. "Seek first the Kingdom 
of God." Bring to full ripeness the fruits of the spirit, 
"love and joy." Claim all the sunshine and happi- 
ness of earth for the King. Then scatter it until the 
day when the whole earth shall be another garden of 
Eden in which God walks with open face with the 
children of men who are by nature the "Sons of God." 



11 



CHAPTER I. 

•Winning Young People to Christ 
Through the Social Nature. 

Young people hunger for happy fellowships. The 
world once made people believe that religion banished 
and shut out joyousness. Fun was sinful. Wild oats 
must be sown if a "good time" was secured. Piety 
usually led to an early death. Robust and gingery 
young fellows found no place for their energy. Thank 
God, that day has passed! Paul enumerated "life" as 
among the "all things" that belonged to believers. 
(i Cor. iii, 21, 22.) It is even so. Happiness is as vital 
in religion as laughter is in the healthy child. We 
must demonstrate this fact. The fisherman uses the 
bait that the fish will bite. The business man employs 
the advertisements that will draw the customers and 
keep them coming. The soul-saving Church will reach 
after the young people with devices that draw. A 
happy social life will do this as will nothing else. It 
will therefore pay us to study and originate until the 
particular company within the range of our Church is 
attracted and won to Christ and His gospel. All the 
work of the Church must culminate in winning people 

13 



Social Plans for Young People 

to open discipleship. After years of trial the writer is 
convinced that no means is so effective as a hearty, 
happy social life. 

There will be no attempt to make one paragraph, in 
this chapter, fit into another. The plans might be dis- 
tributed among other chapters, but still they will sug- 
gest the wisdom of using every possible plan to attract 
the attention of happiness-seeking young folk. We must 
use a great variety of methods, hoping to catch differ- 
ent classes with each one. 

Local Plans Contest. 

The local Young People's Society can have a Social 
Department contest. Let each member read and plan 
until he has worked out a game, a social, or a literary 
program that has not been used locally. Have them 
handed to a committee, who will remove names and 
turn them over to judges, who may select the best 
plan, following a set of rules agreed on before hand. 
This will put every one to work, and will give a num- 
ber of new plans which will likely fit the surrounding 
conditions. This plan may also uncover material for 
a future social "chairman," or at least discover com- 
mittee men. 

Utilizing Retired Members. 

The young people's movement is now so old that it 
often is difficult to have a young people's organization. 
It is such an attractive company that old members find 

14 



Winning Young People to Christ 

it hard to let go. It must, however, be kept for the 
young people. We must not lose the experience and 
interest of the older workers. Make them honorary 
members of the committees. Arrange to have them 
lead certain devotional meetings. Give them a recep- 
tion once in a while, and encourage them to receive 
the present members of the organization. Keep asking 
the absent ones to write letters that may be read at 
socials. They may be full of description of some scene 
near them. They may be reminiscent of other-day expe- 
riences in young people's work. They may tell about 
members that have gone out into prominent places in 
the world. They may detail interesting facts about 
dear departed ones. They may describe and point out 
dangers or suggest successful plans. They may help 
in a hundred ways to make the organization efficient 
and acquainted with facts and people. 

Recalling Absent Friends. 

A certain "drinking" lodge at eleven o'clock every 
evening, if two or more are together, stop conversation 
or business and drink the health of the absent members 
wherever they are. It is happily not always pledged in 
strong fluid. A certain Epworth League practices a 
much more beautiful custom that is worthy of wide 
imitation. At seven o'clock every Sunday evening the 
regular order of service is stopped and all members 
bow together on their knees in silent prayer for the 
absent members, sometimes remembering a particular 

15 



Social Plans for Young People 

one that is in special need. It serves to recall the ab- 
sence and value of those who are away. It reminds 
different ones that their friends are not there, and leads 
later to a question and a pressing invitation. Its in- 
fluence is felt by the absent, and may lead them to 
prayer, guardedness, and to some other League meeting 
or religious service. It altogether glorifies friendship 
and Christian interest and fellowship. 

Contest Socials by Divisions. 

Divide the members into two groups by selecting 
leaders, who choose the remainder. The two crowds 
may then vie with each other in giving a social, taking 
two months in succession. It may be arranged to 
decide in some way which gives the best. Various 
points are considered. It may be decided by the largest 
attendance of all sorts of people, or the greatest number 
of young people between certain ages, or the longest 
list of enrolled strangers. The uniqueness of the pro- 
gram, or the games, or general plans may be considered. 
If the organization needs money, it will be well to 
make one of the tests the largest amount of money 
cleared at the social. This spirit of rivalry sets every 
one to work and creates a lot of interest. The same 
plan is valuable when utilized for a literary program, 
judging only general features. Or half of both pro- 
grams may be furnished by each one of the groups, and 
judges secured to award prizes for each feature, making 
each reward count so many points, seeing which side 

16 



Winning Young People toj Christ 

will have the most points when the two programs have 
been given ; e. g., have two recitations, one by each side, 
and see which one does the best. Have two solos, two 
essays, etc., and each time let judges choose the best. 
The parts must always be taken by bona fide members 
of the side. In the debate, have the negative from 
one side and the affirmative from the other. Surprising 
talent will be discovered and developed. Care must, of 
course, be exercised in choosing so that the sides are 
evenly balanced. 

A Christian "Social Club." 

Many localities will gladly welcome and make effect- 
ive a "social" club organized and directed by the young 
people's organization. A regular meeting time is fixed, 
the hour of adjournment is agreed upon, and a com- 
mittee on games and program is appointed. Such an 
organization can often break up or forestall a "dancing 
club" or a "card club." It will also rob the falsifiers 
of their argument that Christians have no "fun." It 
will bring people within the reach of the Church, and 
in the atmosphere of a good time enable one to tell the 
sweet, happy story of Jesus and His friendship. 

Neighboring Young People Entertained. 

The young people at Westfield, New York, planned 
a fine social, and invited in a near-by country League 
with the purpose of giving them a good time. It gave 
purpose to the social. It put every one on his mettle 

2 17 



Social Plans for Young People 

to give the visitors a good time. It created happiness 
of the Christian sort because it was an effort to make 
some one else glad. The visitors were made happy 
and went back to their discouraging field with new 
vim and vigor. There is always a neighboring Church, 
in the same city or in the country, where this is pos- 
sible. The country League may invite the city Church 
out when the fruit is ripe. The mission Church may 
be visited by a company, who fill its arms with flowers 
or fruit to be used by them in the neighborhood. 

Mandolin or Glee Club. 

Constant effort must be made to interest every per- 
son in something. There is of course a danger of the 
Church undertaking too much, but there is usually a 
greater danger of having too few catch lines out. 
There are always a few young people about who like to 
play the mandolin or guitar. A good-principled teacher 
will gladly avail himself of the privilege of using the 
Church and getting the consequent advertising made 
possible by organizing a "League" or "Endeavor" 
Mandolin and Guitar Club, and charging a minimum 
amount for leading it. In the same way a small 
orchestra can be formed. It will be a valuable at- 
traction at the Sunday evening meeting and at social 
events. A glee club is also possible if a few of the 
young people take hold and work it up. The old- 
fashioned singing-school will draw many and give them 
real profit, even in the city Churches. Music and song 

18 



Winning Young People to Christ 

are closely related to religion, and if they are encour- 
aged, people will be brought near to the gospel and the 
atmosphere will be rarified for carrying a message. 

"Old Home" State Reception. 

Have a "State" reception. In the West, where 
people came from so many different places, this could 
be frequently varied. Serve refreshments that fit. Few 
Pennsylvanians would fail to enjoy real old-fashioned 
"sauerkraut and speck." New Englanders would go 
a long way to get the real brown-bread and baked beans 
that melt in the mouth. Make the decorations in 
harmony with the State honored. Sunflowers would 
cause any ex-Kansan to feel very much at home. 
Have the State song printed and circulated, so that 
all can sing it. "Maryland, My Maryland," will stir 
up any one's powers of song. See to it that prominent 
men in the city who were raised in the particular State 
selected, attend and deliver addresses. Make large 
plans, so that it will be a worthy event. It might be 
feasible to honor two or three States the same evening. 
Denver, in 1905, organized a large number of State 
"clubs" by such socials, in preparation for entertaining 
the International Epworth League Convention, and 
several of these State clubs became permanent. 

Native Sons Noticed. 

A native-sons reception will attract attention and 
interest folk as well as get numberless people acquainted 

19 



Social Plans for Young People 

with each other. When people meet congenial people 
and have a good time in a Church, they will give the 
Church the credit. Folk with common interests sel- 
dom fail to be happy together. In many of the new 
States the home-product sons are scarce, but it will be 
surprising how they will be interested to find others. 
Have some of the old settlers tell of the early days, 
when they had to travel six hundred miles with an ox 
team. These addresses descriptive of the early city 
will make the present town seem like the work of a 
fairy. Souvenirs owned by the early comers can be 
borrowed and put on exhibition. It might be possible 
to meet in one of the first really good houses erected in 
the town. Some might give a brief history of the 
prominent men that were born in the State. The State 
Historical Society could furnish many interesting sug- 
gestions for the program. 

Home State Study. 

Plan a "home State" study. It is well for people 
to be enthusiastic about and loyal to their own common- 
wealth. This is impossible without information. Few 
citizens can relate the history or even give facts about 
the present conditions of their own State. Assign a 
logical set of essays that will bring before people's eyes 
the facts. An old resident with a living mind could 
relate incidents of early struggles. An essay might deal 
with the conditions before the State was admitted to 
the Union. Another would describe the present popu- 

20 



Winning Young People to Christ 

lation and give grounds for a belief of a future rapid 
growth. Great interest would be created if a pioneer 
would gather up the names of men prominent in any 
line of life who once lived or were born in the State. 
Some great leader of, or contributor to, civilization 
will be found to have lived there. It will surprise some 
to know that large moneyed interests or some great in- 
dustry is deeply rooted in another section of the State. 
Many people do not know, for example, that the agri- 
cultural productions of Colorado are greater than the 
mine output. Another person could prepare an inter- 
esting paper on the varied climate of the State. It 
would surprise the searcher to learn of its valuable 
health resources. Some people, for example, imagine 
that the high altitude of Colorado is hard on the nerves, 
while in fact specialists are now sending people to that 
State for nerve troubles. Young people do not realize 
what it has cost to set the high standards held aloft by 
certain commonwealths. Kansas soil, for example, was 
soaked with patriots' blood to insure it to be a free 
State. 

City Study and Boosting. 

The city might profitably be studied in the same way. 
Church people must be the last folk in the town to 
be called "knockers." If anybody ought to talk up 
and push up things, it is the members of the Church. 
They can not do this unless they are posted. Knowl- 
edge fires zeal and insures victory along right lines if 

21 



Social Plans for Young People 

properly utilized. A good way to banish the bad is 
to crowd it out with good. Prepare a city or town 
entertainment. Find out where the name originated. 
Possibly it came from a noted man whose biography is 
rich with interest. It may come from a foreign word 
ripe with rallying suggestions. An old resident can 
probably relate anecdotes or picture the growth seen in 
his day. A close scrutiny will lead to the discovery 
that prominent leaders of one sort or another have 
come out of nearly every little place in the land. Pos- 
sibly a promising local industry is unknown to many 
people. The richness of the surrounding country is not 
realized. It may be possible to start at this time a 
street-improvement campaign. The superiority of the 
schools may be emphasized. The presence or work of a 
local academy or college could be made important. 
The strategic location on a river or prominent railroad, 
if pointed out, would build confidence in the hearts of 
the citizens. A study of the low death rate or of the 
low per cent of illiteracy in the town, would also add 
interest for the locality. A dozen advantages can be 
discovered and depicted in the various essay or address 
subjects. Gather up pictures of the first houses, display 
photographs of the founder or of early methods of 
travel to the town. Request every one to bring some 
souvenir. Put before the company mounted plans of 
proposed new buildings. If there is some promising 
local manufactory, request it to make a display of its 
products. Study to make the evening full of interest 

22 



Winning Young People to Christ 

and profit. Such activities should not be left to a so- 
called secular organization. The Church may lead the 
way and get a grip that will make its gospel message 
fuller of meaning. Close the whole program by re- 
questing every one to suggest how the town or city 
can be improved and advanced. 

"Around" the Country, State, City, or 
Churches. 

It has been common to hold "around-the-world trips" 
by fixing up houses to represent foreign countries. 
Most people know little about their own land. Try 
an "around-the-States" social. Either near-by common- 
wealths could be selected or distant ones employed. 
Ask a group of folk from Maine to fix up their home in 
a Maine-like style and serve light refreshments pecul- 
iarly "homey" to that State. They could render a 
program typical of "down-East" folk. A California 
group could represent in some way their State. A 
Kansas crowd would decorate with sunflowers and 
serve corn-made eatables. Each house would have a 
good speaker to describe the peculiarities and products 
of that particular State. In this way a vision of your 
country could be secured that would otherwise be im- 
possible. The same plan can be employed for a study 
of the State in which one lives. Appoint a committee 
to represent several important counties in the State. 
It will surprise one to discover what varied industries 
and wide products are fenced in by one State's lines. 

23 



Social Plans for Young People 

In the same way a city could be studied. The "foreign 
problem" might thus be brought very close to the 
people. Appoint committees to represent the various 
wards or sections of the city. If foreigners populate 
certain regions, their assistance can be secured to vivify 
conditions. The same plan might also be employed to 
represent different denominations. One house would 
be stately and solemn to carry out the Episcopal idea. 
Another could be bright, full of light and not over- 
churchly in appearance to reproduce the "Christian" 
idea. Each of these homes could contain souvenirs that 
belong to early Church workers in these denominations. 
The local Churches would be glad to aid in giving 
their own Churches full representation. At each place 
some one should relate the history and the peculiar 
tenets of that Church. Other things will suggest them- 
selves that can be similarly presented. 

Compelling Strangers to Come. 

Many crowds of young people have few strangers or 
outsiders in them. Only a limited number attend. 
Devise some scheme to insure the presence of strangers. 
Divide the membership into red and white ribbon sides. 
Pit them against each other for the attendance of 
new-comers. Insist that the invited ones shall be young 
people who do not even attend Church, or at least are 
not members of the local organization. The person 
accepting the invitation of some one from the "white 
side" will wear a bit of white ribbon. The "red's" 

24 



Winning Young People to Christ 



guest will wear red. In this way it will be seen by 
which side the invited one was brought in. The con- 
testing spirit will set people to work finding and bring- 
ing in strangers. Use a new method for introducing 
strangers. For example, it is discovered by a member 
that Mr. Smith has not met Miss Brown. He brings 
t up Mr. Smith and introduces him something like this: 
"Miss Brown, allow me to present Mr. Smith, 22." 
This does not mean that either Mr. Smith or' Miss 
Brown is twenty-two years of age, but it means that 
the member has introduced twenty-one other people 
who before were strangers to each other. He keeps 
this up, and it brings much fun to find who can an- 
nounce the highest number of strangers he has made 
acquainted during the evening. 

New-Comers' Receptions. 
Endeavor to find a congenial local member who will 
take up, follow up, and cheer up a new-comer. If the 
strangers do not come too fast and thick, assign each 
one of them to an energetic member. Instruct this 
person to see that the new-comer is always made to 
feel at home and is promptly introduced to the home 
folk. In some places he might give a little party at 
his house or boarding place for the stranger, and invite 
in a dozen close friends to help him warm up the heart. 
Once in awhile give a reception to the new members 
of the young people's organization or for the people 
who have just come to town. Make them the guests 

25 



Social Plans for Young People 

of honor and put them into a formal reception line. 
See that everything contributes to get them acquainted 
with each other and with others. At a recent Grace 
Church social the names of the States were called out, 
and people from a particular State were gathered into 
a group and sent into one part of the room to get ac- 
quainted with each other. For example, the leader 
called "Ohio," immediately all in the room who had 
lived in or who were born in Ohio gathered around 
the leader. He assigned them a place in the Church, 
and they gathered there to get acquainted. It was dis- 
covered, in several instances, that people who had never 
before met came from the same town. On another 
occasion the leader called out every one whose name 
began with "A." This group, having been collected, 
was assigned a section of the room. The whole alpha- 
bet was grouped in the same way, and thus people were 
led to declare their names and homes. Still another 
plan is, to call out all those whose first name is 
"Charlie," or "Mary," and so on through the list of 
common names, and let them collect in small groups. 
Of course, the groups may be composed by including 
two or three surnames in each one. 

Methodist Shakedown. 

A catchy term will often attract people to a social. 
It is then our place to see that their highest expecta- 
tions are realized. A "Methodist shakedown" recently 
attracted a large crowd to one Church. When the 

26 



Winning Young People to Christ 

people arrived, each one was met at the door with three 
different kinds of handshakes. The first greeting was 
the "Chinese grasp." The new-comer was greeted by 
a member of the reception committee at the door, who 
grasped his own hands together and, bowing, said: 
"Good evening." The greeting was returned in the 
same way. Then the reception committee member gave 
him the "society grip," which is carried out by touching 
the ends of the fingers and lifting the hands up even 
with the face, and merely moving the arm backward 
and forward two or three times. Then the hands were 
again grasped warmly, which was called a "Methodist 
handshake." The guest then greeted every one present 
the same way. Much merriment was created by these 
three forms of greeting, and reserve was dissolved. 
Later on, in the evening, a complete circle was formed 
containing every member of the company present. 
Some one at the piano played a march or a popular 
song which all could sing. Now began the real Meth- 
odist shakedown. A certain person was designated as 
the beginning of the circle. He turned to his right 
and shook hands with each person in turn around the 
circle, finally coming back to his original place. As 
soon as he had shaken hands with the first person on 
the right, that person followed him around the circle. 
The third person did the same, and the fourth and 
the fifth, until eventually every one in the circle had 
gone around it and had come back again to his own 
place. If time is limited, they say but their names and 

27 



I 



Social Plans for Young People 

shake hands, hurrying around the circle. If, however, 
the plan is to be extended, request them to give their 
name and place of birth, and location of Church mem- 
bership. They do not get a reply, for eventually the 
addressed person will again shake hands with them 
and can then declare these facts for himself. After 
every one has thus gone around the circle, hands are 
joined, and altogether the company sings "Blest be the 
tie that binds." Two or three brief prayers em- 
phasizing the beauty and might of brotherliness will 
root helpful truths. Much real pleasure and large 
liberty for friendliness is created by this plan. A great 
company can be handled if the room is large enough. 
Such a method can be employed for a local union rally. 
If all can not be put in one' circle, form two, seeing 
to it that the inner one is far enough away from the 
other to save a collision. Some one could write an 
interesting paper on the history of the salutations. 
Paul, it will be remembered, urged the brethren to 
greet: one another with the "holy kiss." The Dun- 
kards still observe this custom literally. Different races 
employ varied forms of greeting. Another paper could 
profitably deal with the subject of friendliness. It 
might be well to call for personal experiences that 
would emphasize the heart hunger of strangers. There 
are certain general marks about the palm of a hand 
that indicate certain traits. Some investigator might 
bring attention-holding facts along this line. It wouHd 

28 



Winning Young People to|^ Christ 

be interesting to decipher the hieroglyphics of the dif- 
ferent palms. 

Monthly Church Receptions. 

During one fall in Grace Church we gave a series 
of socials every month to the whole membership of the 
Church. The Ladies' Aid was divided into three di- 
visions, each with a competent leader. Then the rest 
of the ladies who were members of the Church were 
apportioned to them in equal numbers. Each section 
gathered all the ladies thus assigned, and planned for 
one of the monthly socials. The entertainment, plans, 
and the general arrangements were all to be kept secret. 
Each division undertook to excel the other. The first 
group gave a "Methodist shakedown" described above. 
The second group gave an "old-fashioned country so- 
cial." The room was decorated with cornstalks, 
wheat, pumpkins, and other vegetables. Loose straw 
was scattered over the floor. Baled hay and straw 
were borrowed, to be used for. seats, the pews having 
been removed. 

B. A. P. Poems and Pies. 

At one monthly social a group gave a "B. A. P.," 
"L. A. P.," "N. A. P." social. Cards like the follow- 
ing were distributed to every member of the company. 
"You belong to group No. 12. There are ten persons 
in your group. Get your group together, then go 

29 



Social Plans for Young People 

over into the large Church-room. The large letters on 
the cards of your group will spell the name of an apple. 
Write a four-line verse of poetry ( ?) containing the 
name of your apple. Judges will decide the best and 
worst efforts, and reward each by a suitable prize." 
The letter, the group number, and the blank for the 
number of persons in the group are filled in with pen, 
in conformity with the letters in the "apple" and its 
order on the list. 

Each card had a letter which would aid in spelling 
a particular apple. The cards thus formed groups ; 
the number of people necessary to complete the apple- 
name was given. Though the company was large, it 
did not take long for the groups to collect. As rapidly 
as they formed they withdrew into the main audience- 
room for the purpose of writing an original poem on 
their apple. The whole group of course assisted with 
suggestions. After the time allowed for writing was 
exhausted, all the groups were recalled and the poems 
were turned over to judges, who designated the best, 
second best, and the poorest. All the ordinary poems 
were read. The poorest poem was then read, and that 
group was called to the front and awarded "N. A. P.," 
or "no apple-pie." The company composing the second- 
best poem was then called forward and presented 
"L. A. P.," or "little apple-pie." They were compelled 
to at once cut and eat it, before the company. Then 
the group which had written the best poem was called 
up and presented a "B. A. P.," or "big apple-pie." 

30 



Winning Young People to Christ 

This was eighteen inches in diameter, and the group 
was compelled to cut and eat it before the company. 
The refreshments were apple-pie, cheese, and milk. 
Careful plans were laid so that enough apple names 
were provided to supply a good-sized company. Here 
is a suggested list: 

Gano, 4 letters 

Rambo, 5 " 

Russet, 6 " 

Pippin, 6 " 

Winesap, 7 " 

Harvest, 7 " 

Wealthy, 7 " 

Baldwin 7 " 

Jonathan 8 " 

Greening, 8 " 

Siberian, 8 " 

Ben Davis, 8 " 

Sheepnose, 9 " 

Astrachan, 9 " 

Early June, 9 " 

Crab-Apple, 9 " 

Bellflower 10 M 

Adams Apple, . . . • 10 " 

Spitzenberg, 11 M 

Northern Spy, 11 " 

Maiden Blush, 11 " 

Tulpe-hocken, 11 " 

22 varieties 181 " 

Pie Refreshments and Program. 

Pie socials offer opportunity for fun, and with right 
plans the crust of formality that preserves aloofness 

31 



Social Plans for Young People 

and spoils a good time may be broken. Charge ten 
cents as the guests come into the room, and deliver 
paper money cut out and marked "one cent," giving 
each person one hundred pieces and selling only one 
lot to a person. Have several places where they can 
spend their money '(the one hundred paper cents). At 
one place have a tub filled with sawdust, holding a 
number of cheap tin toys, with a string tied to each. 
Payment allows them to select a string, and then take 
away the toy as a memento of the occasion. In the 
same way they may "pay" and be permitted to reach 
into a hat and take out a slip of paper inscribed with 
the name of some kind of pie. (To avoid an over- 
draft, these cards are prepared after all the pies have 
been received, so that they correspond with the supply 
on hand.) The holder then cashes the slip in for the 
particular piece of pie designated. It might be well 
to ask every one to w r rite a poem on "pie." Or every 
one may be requested to bring a short story about "pie," 
which is to be handed in on arrival. The ten best may 
then be read. A vote may be taken on the most popular 
kind of pie. Quotations about pie or dessert may be 
put into a dish, to be drawn out, when all are to be 
quiet for five minutes; one may try to commit to mem- 
ory the quotation in his hand. All who can do so are 
permitted to recite with the slip hidden. The rest may 
acknowledge defeat by reading. There are a dozen 
new things that can be introduced into such a program. 

32 



Winning Young People to Christ 

Using the Apples. 

Trifling things often break reserve and start the flow 
of friendliness. Suppose each person is given an apple 
to peel when he arrives. See how many can accomplish 
the feat of taking the whole coat of the apple off 
without breaking it into even two pieces. Some will 
take it off in many pieces, others will have only two 
or three strings. Gather them in the order of their 
success. Reward the successful ones in some way. 
Next ask them all to cut the apple in four parts and 
take out the core. Have an expert housekeeper to in- 
spect the work and see who has wasted the least of 
the meat. It will take some self-control to keep from 
eating a piece of the juicy tempter. A heavy penalty 
should be imposed for doing so. One by one call the 
people to the front, and have them throw the apple 
peelings over their heads to the floor. It will likely 
shape itself into some form that can be identified, or 
at least likened to a letter of the alphabet. This may 
be used to predict the name of the future husband or 
wife, or the trade to be followed, or of something else 
agreed upon. Or the letter may be announced, and test 
may be made to see who of the company can spell the 
longest name beginning with that letter. Other things 
will easily suggest themselves that can be done with the 
apples, before the people are finally allowed to eat them. 



33 



Social Plans for Young People 



Prearranged Pleasing Anecdotes. 

Make every one in the company tell a funny story. 
Announce this beforehand, so that all may be prepared. 
Have three unknown judges listen and reward the best 
story-teller. They can consider the newness, the skill 
in telling, the impersonation, and the aptness in fitting 
it to the occasion or locality. It will be surprising how 
many good stories will be told, and that, too, in a fresh 
and interesting way. This can be made a feature of 
a social or a part of the evening's program. It may 
also add zest to choose the poorest anecdote. 

Partially Covered Photographs. 

Gather photographs of a number of the members. 
In some way cover the head so that only the hands, 
body, and feet show. Or cover the face and body, 
leaving only the hands, feet, and forehead to be seen. 
Fasten the photographs on the wall, and number each 
one. Send people along the line of pictures, with a 
request that they write down their identifications. It 
will be great fun to see to whom different hands and 
feet are fitted. Sometimes they will be so character- 
istic that folk will at once identify them. 

Reproducing a Railroad Depot. 

The Ladies' Aid of the First Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Atchison, Kansas, gave a remarkably inter- 
esting and fun-provoking entertainment some time ago. 

34 



Winning Young People to Christ 

It was called "A Day at the Union Station." Differ- 
ent people "impersonated folk who would be found about 
a depot in any ordinary town. There was the little 
boy who was asking all kinds of questions so insistently 
and steadily that no one could answer them. Another 
little urching represented "Joe Garmin," an impudent 
little rascal, who always lives around a depot, ready to 
make twitting and irritating remarks to passengers. 
There was the woman who gets confused and loses her 
way; the man who distrusts everybody, and carried his 
trunk into the waiting-room; a crowd of giggling 
school-girls, and a solemn-looking man who sees fit to 
rebuke them. There was a garrulous woman, who was 
incessantly talking to and advising every one ; a country 
bridaj. party; a woman who abandoned her baby; and 
a woman left without the means to take herself and 
children to their destination. There were a few for- 
eigners, several crying babies, hat boxes, bird cages, and 
an Italian 'with a hand organ. There was a prima 
donna who sang in the depot and took up a collection 
for a poor widow. 

All sorts of features can be worked into such a 
program, and people will enjoy it immensely because 
it reminds them of real experiences. The teaching 
element may be brought in by having the real depot- 
master give some of his experiences, and by closing the 
whole program with an address by some one, suggest- 
ing how the young people can improve the conditions 
of the surroundings of the local depot. 

35 



Social Plans for Young People 

Beans for Buying Boxes. 

If the lunch-boxes brought by the young ladies and 
holding provisions for two, are to be auctioned off, cer- 
tain rules must be made. The box should be put into 
a paper sack when the lady arrives, so that no one can 
know whose box is being sold. Church companies can 
not permit high-priced paying for the boxes. However, 
it is possible to have the fun of auctioning without 
compelling or permitting any one to pay more than a 
certain fixed price. Suppose it is agreed that the box- 
supper is to be furnished for twenty-five cents for two. 
The young ladies furnish the boxes. When the young 
men arrive, let them purchase one hundred beans for 
twenty-five cents. Only one lot of beans can be bought 
by a single person. When the auctioneer begins, use 
beans instead of money; any one can offer up to one 
hundred beans, but no more. It is possible to auction 
for money, and limit the bids to twenty-five cents. Per- 
mit the competitors to count the beans as though they 
were dollars, and offer $18.50 and $22.50 as their bids. 
Once in awhile the auctioneer can have fun by sud- 
denly "knocking down" a package for a small bid. 
Each one now eats with the person w T hose box he buys. 
No trading or trick-work to bring about a change 
should be permitted. While this plan is old, it never 
loses its interest or value. 



36 



CHAPTER II. 

Pure and Heartening Fun for 
Young People. 

The word "fun" frightens some people. Webster 
defines it as ''merriment." Some extreme religionists 
define it as a "piety destroyer." Older folk frequently 
grow impatient with the younger people's demand for 
it. The playless child is a sick or unhealthy one. The 
funless young person is sleepy or tricky. Every red- 
blooded, energetic, vimful young person is bubbling 
over with fun, and must let it out and feed its desires. 
If the Church directs its expression and aids in furnish- 
ing the right kind, gratitude will cement the heart to 
religion. The enthusiastic, cheery and obstacle- 
thwarting optimism of youth will then turn itself to 
aid the Church, the object of affection. The young 
people's religious organization that wins the fun-loving 
nature can be sure to have in return as much loyalty 
and enthusiasm as any college fraternity or secular 
club. There is so much pure fun. Young people much 
prefer to follow lines about which their conscience asks 
no question. Often the dance, card-table, and similar 
amusements are patronized chiefly because no other is 
known. It is our place not to inderdict, but to intro- 

37 



Social Plans for Young People 

duce something better. The "fun" plans may seem 
almost ridiculous at times, but they may still serve as 
the means to an ultimate end. Always and always we 
are watching for a chance to introduce Christ to their 
hearts. There is no better time than when the heart is 
open with the pure laughter of full joy. For this very 
reason staid, trained, and purposeful young people often 
enter into fun-making plans. 

Policeman's Paradise. 

A "fine" social frequently interests and pleases the 
people. Every one is urged to bring twenty-five pen- 
nies. The committee provides change for those neglect- 
ing to bring the small specie. Appoint a number of 
policemen. Have them to wear a made-up costume, 
with a tin star. They are provided with a list of fines. 
No one but the policemen know what they are. At 
every possible opportunity the officers arrest people, and 
at once collect the fine. The offenses for which one is 
fined are ridiculous and surprising. For example, sit- 
ting on a chair, one cent; laughing, two cents; talking 
to a girl, one cent. The more ridiculous the fines, the 
more fun. Each penny commands a receipt or a piece 
of paper marked "one cent." When any individual 
shows twenty-five receipts, he can do as he pleases with- 
out further being fined. It would simplify matters 
and increase fun if he were permitted to exchange this 
for some kind of a ridiculous certificate so authorizing 
him. Refreshments are served free to every one hold- 

38 



Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

ing such a certificate. The policemen should be persons 
who can do these things seriously, otherwise much of 
the fun leaks away. A mock trial appropriately fol- 
lows such a plan. 

Umbrella Admission and Drill. 

For some regular social in the summer time, pref- 
erably one on the lawn, ask every one to bring an 
umbrella. Make the request impressive in the invita- 
tions and Church announcements. It will create much 
curiosity and start people to asking questions. When 
the evening comes, arrange some kind of exercise that 
will create merriment; e. g., have all with straight 
handles stand on one side, those with curved handles 
on the other. At a given signal ask them to raise their 
umbrellas, or use them as soldiers do guns in a sort of 
drill, and see how many can follow it. Play a "Simon" 
says to hold up, point, and lower the closed umbrella, 
and see how many can do as directed, as they do when 
playing "thumbs up." March around the yard with all 
umbrellas raised. Give refreshments free to the two 
having the largest and the smallest umbrellas. Have 
an extra favor to give each one who presents his um- 
brella on arrival. 

Cut-up Figures in Colored Paper. 

Here is a little plan tried by the Epworth League of 
Barberton, Ohio, on a Washington Birthday. A 
number of pictures of men, women, and children were 

39 



Social Plans for Young People 

clipped from various -publications. These were then 
outlined on three different colored papers, so that the 
head was on white paper, the bust on red paper, and 
the lower limbs were on blue paper. In other words, 
when the three pieces forming the figure of a body were 
put together there would be white, red, and blue paper 
in the form. These different pieces of colored paper 
were- hidden about the room. The young people were 
instructed, on coming, to hunt for the three different 
colored pieces of paper and to paste them together so 
that they would make the outlines of a body. It was 
not necessary to get the three different pieces that be- 
longed together. In fact, the more they were mixed 
the greater the fun. In this way the head of a woman 
might appear on the body of a boy with the feet of a 
man. The ridiculous combinations would create indi- 
gestion-destroying laughter. 

Popcorn and Crackers Contest. 

A popcorn contest exactly suits some young people. 
Pick out four girls and four boys. If desired, arrange 
for the girls present to elect four representatives, and 
the boys to do the same. Tie eight balls of popcorn to 
a string and start the contestants to work. First, how- 
ever, the hands are tied behind them. At a given 
signal all start in, trying to bite into the ball of pop- 
corn. When either the four boys or the four girls have 
finished, the winning side is designated. Again the 
same plan may be employed, but this time compel each 

40 



> 

Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

contestant to eat two large soda-crackers without drink- 
ing. Immediately after this task is performed it is in- 
cumbent upon each one to whistle "Yankee Doodle." 
It will amaze the company how slowly the contestants 
dispose of these two crackers and how long they are in 
bringing enough moisture into their throats to whistle. 
Whichever group first completes the task is then de- 
clared the winner. 

Wearing Aprons as a Penalty. 

Borrow enough common kitchen aprons to put one 
upon every gentleman attending. At the proper signal 
the apron exchanging begins. One young man walks 
up to another and starts in by saying, "Thank you," 
and then asks a question. The one addressed must 
answer by first saying, "Thank you," and then by sup- 
plying the answer to the question. If any one fails to 
introduce his declaration with a "Thank you," he must 
take the apron of the other fellow. This he fastens 
upon the one he is already wearing. If he is not quick 
he will soon be wearing several. The bright man will 
get/ rid of his and keep clear if his eyes do not close. 
After twenty or thirty minutes' drill the contest closes. 
Every man must then pay five cents for every apron 
he is wearing, as a fine for being careless in "politeness." 
The ladies present will enjoy seeing the men robed with 
aprons. The new garb will embarrass the brightest so 
that they will be more easily caught than if otherwise 
attired. Even the bashful fellow will find himself 
41 



Social Plans for Young People 

doing his best to get rid of the apron. The fellows who 
have no aprons escape the fine. 

Egg-Carrying Race. 

An egg race is suggested by some one who has tried 
it with great success. The details are always worked 
out locally. It can be played outdoors or in the house. 
Each one is given an egg in a spoon. A leader is 
started out, and all must follow. He is to hop about 
every place, holding the egg in the spoon. He may go 
upstairs or down, around the lot, or any other place. 
If any one drops his egg, or at any time puts both feet 
down, he is out of the contest. It is kept up until all 
but one or two are out. It is well to boil the eggs 
hard, then, if one is broken, it does not leave its mark. 

Passing Clothes-Pins. 

Appointed leaders choose sides and arrange the two 
groups facing each other in two standing lines. 
Twenty-five clothes-pins are put in a basket at the head 
of each line. At the count of three each leader picks 
up a clothes-pin and passes it to the next person. The 
game is then on. The leaders rapidly pick up the 
clothes-pins and pass them down the lines. Each one 
must be handled by every individual in the line, and 
dropped in the basket at the foot of the line. If one 
slips to the floor, all the rest must be held until this 
can be picked up by the person who let it fall. As 
soon as all the clothes-pins belonging to either side are 

42 



Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

in the second basket, the person at the foot of the line 
picks them up one by one and starts them back again. 
Each side undertakes to be the first to pass successfully 
all the clothes-pins down the line and back again. The 
side first accomplishing this is, of course, the winner. 
The people get so nervous in their haste that the pins 
are dropped. There is also danger of thoughtless un- 
fairness. Every pin must be handled by both hands of 
every individual. The hurry and danger of dropping 
the pin starts laughter and breaks stiffness. 

Pitching Bean Bags to Alternating Repre- 
sentatives. 

Two leaders choose sides. The leaders face each 
other at the head of the room. Call one leader "A," 
the other "B." Next to "A" stands one chosen by "B," 
then comes a member of his own side, and so on clear 
down the line, the members of the two sides alternating 
with each other. Next to "B" stands one of "A's," 
and then one of his own side, and so on clear down 
the line. Thus the two sides alternating face each 
other. "A" is given five white bean bags, and "B" 
five red ones. "A" must now throw one of his bags to 
one who belongs to his side who is in "B's" line. This 
individual must throw it back to the other line, getting 
it into the hands of a member of his own side, so that 
the white bean bag goes from side to side, down the 
line, each time going into the hands of one of "A's" 
aides. Similarly "B" throws his red bean bag across 

43 



Social Plans for Young People 

to one of his representatives, and thus, down the line, 
back and forth, in the same way. Thus one bean 
bag after another follows until all five reach the foot, 
when they are started back, to see which color will 
again first reach the head. When a bean bag is 
dropped on the floor the line is stopped until this is 
picked up and started again. It is great fun to see the 
different colored bags flying back and forth from side 
to side. Only well-controlled folk keep from getting 
"rattled." Uproarious laughter is created and the 
risibilities of the last person are stirred. The task is 
not nearly so simple as it seems, and the side who first 
gets the bean bags back has done no easy task. If a 
score is kept it might be done in a negative way. If 
the bean bag is thrown to the wrong person or dropped 
on the floor, it will then count against the side so drop- 
ping it, one point. The side first returning the bags is 
credited with five. It may be, however, that five indi- 
viduals have dropped bags, then the other side will tie 
them. Or, if six have dropped them, the other side 
has made one point, and so wins in the contest. If the 
test is to be made more complicated, choose three sides, 
us three colors of bags, and alternate the representa- 
tives in threes. 

Men Threading Needles. 

Give all the young men needles the same size, and 
cotton thread that will fit the needles with difficulty. 
Have them stand in a row, and at a given signal all 

44 



Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

will start to work. As soon as one succeeds he steps out 
of the line. A number of plans can then be employed. 
A corresponding number of young ladies may be lined 
up on the other side of the room. The man who first 
succeeds in threading his needle may be given his choice 
o{ young ladies. As soon as his needle is threaded he 
steps over by the side of the one he chooses and hands 
her the needle. She has previously been given a piece 
of muslin, and at once begins to make an apron without 
using scissors. Rewards of merit can then be given, 
counting the one who first finishes as having gained the 
highest rank, and giving each one credit in the order in 
which she completes the apron. And yet, if one of the 
slower ones has a much finer apron, she may be ad- 
vanced beyond the swifter ones. Thirty minutes may 
be assigned for the task, to be counted from the time 
when the young men start to thread their needles. If a 
simpler method is desired, have the young men choose 
sides, and see which group will first thread its needles. 

Clothes-Pin Dolls. 

Furnish every one a clothes-pin, and some string, and 
different colored tissue paper. Announce that all must 
make a doll, clothed, out of these materials. The 
young men as well as the young ladies must attempt the 
task. There ought, however, to be separate awards for 
the men and women. It will be interesting and amus- 
ing to see the result. Taste and skill can both be ex- 
hibited. 

45 



Social Plans for Young People 



Tooth-Picks and Beans. 

Appoint captains, who will promptly choose seven 
assistants. Place eight on each side of a table, and plan 
for a bean-dish contest. When thus arranged, place a 
small saucer holding a dozen or eighteen beans in front 
of each person. Give to each one two round tooth-picks. 
Then the contest is on. The tooth-picks must be used, 
without wetting them, to pick a bean out of the saucer. 
A timekeeper stands at one end of the table. He calls, 
"Hands up!" and all hold the tooth-picks above their 
heads. He counts three, and when the last number is 
announced every one starts busily to lifting beans out 
of his saucer. • When any person on either side has 
lifted out and placed on the table five beans, time is 
called. Every one stops immediately. The beans on 
the table are credited to the side which put them there. 
The total number of beans taken out by each side 
is recorded, and a second attempt is made, after 
the beans are all replaced, to again lift the beans out. 
After ten trials the score is totaled, to see which 
side, in all the attempts, took out the most beans. 
It will surprise one the amount of fun that can be 
created by the attempts to lift the beans. The laughter 
and exercise will make people forget themselves and 
get acquainted. Several sections can play the game, and 
then the winners may contest with each other. It 
might be fun to have the girls contest with the men. 
A crowd of married folk might also pit themselves 

46 



Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

against one of single people. Several tables could be 
arranged if the company is large. Many onlookers get 
enjoyment by watching a group energetically endeavor- 
ing to corner the beans. 

Progressive Up- Jenkins. 

Progressive "Up- Jenkins" will afford an evening of 
pleasure, or at least take part of the time with profit, 
and at the same time create sociability. Perhaps it will 
be well to describe "Up-Jenkins," as once in awhile one 
is found who does not know how to play it. A twenty- 
five-cent piece is laid on the table. Equal sides are 
chosen, each with a "captain." One group is placed on 
each side Of a table. The "captain" of one side is given 
the "quarter," and at once its members put their hands 
under the table. The opposite side from the one hold- 
ing the money, through its "captain," after a moment 
or two says: "Up, Jenkins!" All of the ordered side, 
with closed hands, rest their elbows on the table, with 
the fists in the air. The "captain" then gives another 
order: "Down, Jenkins!" The hands are then dropped, 
palm down flat on the table. The piece of money has 
been shifted around under the table, always starting 
with the "captain." When the opposing "captain" 
calls the hands up, the one having the money must hold 
it in the palm and succeed in getting it to the table, at 
call, without betraying the fact that it is in his pos- 
session. The other side, through its "captain," then 
tries to get every hand off the table before the hand 

47 



Social Plans for Young People 

covering the money is ordered up. Any one may try 
to give orders at any time, but if he is obeyed the 
quarter is lost to the other side. Only the orders of the 
"captain" must be obeyed. If the hand hiding the 
money is ordered up before the rest of the hands have 
been taken up, the same side retains the money and 
goes through the same process again. This side gains 
as many points as there are hands remaining on the 
table when the covered money was revealed. The 
"captain" is advised by those on his side, but must 
finally render his own decision in "calling." The skill 
is shown in reading a self-conscious face, for it is diffi- 
cult to look unconcerned when the money is under the 
hand. When progressive "Up-Jenkins" is played, all 
cease as soon as one side has forced another at any table 
to find the money. The number of points made by the 
side is recorded, and the winners move up to test 
strength with the next table. In the end the company 
which has the most points is announced as the winning 
group. Different sorts of rules can be made, by agree- 
ment, to fit any occasion. 

Seventh Social Scheme. 

Norway (Maine) Endeavorers tried a "Seventh" 
social, building everything about this mystical num- 
ber. Details need not be given. A few suggestions, 
however, may help. Every seventh guest was admitted 
free, but was compelled to draw at once on the black- 
board a picture of some animal. Seven lines of poetry 

48 



Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

must then be composed to fit it. Appoint three young 
ladies and three young men and the minister as the 
welcoming committee. Seven games, with the people 
in groups of seven, may be played. The members of 
each group then hear a funny story from each person, 
and decide which is the best. All assemble, and the 
representative of each group tells the selected story. 
Seven simple things are served as refreshments for seven 
cents. People whose age or year of birth has a seven 
in it are given the seat of honor. While the refresh- 
ments are being served, the different groups play 
"Buz," described in another place. Other numerals 
can be employed for a social in the same way. 

Numbered Places on Program. 

A "surprise" program will afford a novel evening. 
A number of members are written and asked to furnish 
something for the program that is the easiest for them 
to do. Endeavor to pick people of varying gifts. They 
will reply, saying what they will be prepared to carry 
out. Suppose ten people agree to recite, sing, tell a 
story, give an experience, recall an important his- 
torical event, etc. Just before the program begins, each 
one takes one of the ten numbers out of a hat, and then, 
without announcement, comes up as the number is 
called, to render his performance, the audience mean- 
while wondering who is to come next, and what he 
will do. 

4 49 



Social Plans for Young People 



Door-Frame Pictures. 

Have a doorway fixed up as a picture frame. Differ- 
ent individuals dressed in ridiculous costumes, or at 
least in old-fashioned costumes, appear in the frame. 
It will be well if they are so disguised that no one can 
recognize them. Each person in the party must then 
tell a story suggested by this "picture." If one recog- 
nizes who it is, his story ought to be true to life, so 
that the rest of the company can also recognize the 
picture. The person in the frame must under no cir- 
cumstances laugh while the story is being told. It 
would be well to represent some historical character, 
and thus test general information. The story-teller 
would then need to describe events that actually hap- 
pened, and, if he makes a mistake, the one correct- 
ing him should stop the talker and pick up the 
thread of the story. The plan might be announced 
ahead of time, so that people could be prepared. An- 
nounce that "Revolutionary characters," "Old Mother 
Goose personages," or "modern financiers" are to be 
represented. Get a good teacher of history to attend 
as referee. When one related an incident and was not 
corrected, the referee might give him ten beans. With 
these beans, later in the evening, he can buy his refresh- 
ments. No one is allowed to tell a second story until 
all have had a chance. Endless variety can be worked 
into this plan. 

50 



Putq and Heartening Fun for Young People 



Shadow People and Events. 

There is great amusement in shadow pictures. 
Darken one room and put a sheet over the folding- 
doors leading into the other room. Leave only one 
lamp t in the latter room. Place it about ten or fifteen 
feet back of the sheet. When one stands between the 
lamp and the sheet, all sorts of shadows can be made. 
Illustrate events, and let the people guess what it is, 
e. g.j, "a swell affair" may be shown by picturing a boy 
with a swelled cheek. "Wash day" — have a little girl 
rubbing out. clothes in her tiny tub. In the same 
way current and historical events may be repeated 
and guessed. "Mother Goose" can easily be repro- 
duced. "Uncle Tom and Eva" is also easy to bring 
out. The hands can be fixed up so that they will look 
like boxing-gloves, and so a fight can be represented. 
People may pass before the sheet, and every one be 
given a chance to guess from the shadows who they are. 

Animal Crackers Utilized. 

Give out animal crackers to the guests. Each one 
must identify the animal received, and then tell all he 
knows about it. A story may be made up, or an expe- 
rience related, or a trait recalled. It may add to the 
fun if each one goes to the blackboard and draws a 
reproduction of the owned animal with a free hand. 
Judges frequently are called in to designate the best. 

51 



Social Plans for Young People 

Animal-Drawing Consequences. 

Animal consequences will create heartening laughter. 
The first person traces the head of some animal 
on a piece of paper. It is then folded over so that 
it is not seen by the next person. This can be done 
by exactly doubling the piece of paper occupied by 
the head. It is passed to some one at a distance, who 
adds the neck ; then, after folding, to another, who adds 
the body. When it is completed, the paper is unfolded, 
to see if any complete animal has been formed. Some- 
times a dog's head will appear on a horse's body which 
is supported by kangaroo's feet. 

Individuals Compared to Animals. 

Ask each one to write his name on a card. Gather 
them up. Now request every one in the company to 
think of some animal and write a characteristic of that 
animal on a bit of paper. Gather up these slips and put 
them in another hat. Now write on other slips things 
animals like to eat, and gather up these slips. Still 
others may be used to designate the places where ani- 
mals live, or the company they keep, or something like 
that. Having three or four sets of slips, begin with the 
person's names, and lift one out of the hat, then one 
out from "the characteristics of an animal," and one 
from "where an animal lives," and then one from 
"what an animal eats," and so forth. Read them all 
together. This will describe a person with an animal's 

52 



Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

characteristics, appetite and habits. It will create sur- 
prise and may often come close to the real facts. 

Reproducing an Adjective and Noun. 

Request all in the company to write a noun and ad- 
jective beginning with a specified letter. Suppose, for 
example, it is "C." One individual writes "costly 
cage," and drops this slip into a hat. Pass the hat 
around again, and each one picks out a slip. Of course, 
if he gets his own he puts it back and takes another. 
Now each one must go to the blackboard and draw a 
picture representing the words on his slip. The one 
who gets "costly cage" may go to the blackboard and 
draw the picture of an expensive, wire-frame woman's 
hat. Each one endeavors to ludicrously reproduce, in 
pictorial form, the words inscribed on the paper in 
his hand. 

Book Consequences. 

Play book consequences once in awhile. Write the 
name of an author, recent or old, according to agree- 
ment. Fold it over and hand it on to the next person, 
who writes the name of the book. Fold it over again 
and pass it on to the next person, who writes his opinion 
about some book in his mind. Fold this over and pass 
it on to the other, who writes where he secured it and 
what he paid for it. Fold this over and pass it on to 
the next. After all these statements have been written 
upon the paper, much fun will result in reading all the 

53 



Social Plans for Young People 

answers together. Sometimes remarkable coincidences 
will occur. It will at least call up before the company 
names of books, authors, and vivify possible opinions 
about them. 

Advice and Opinion. * 

Various sentences of advice are gathered by a com- 
mittee previous to the social. They ought to be full 
of snap and very practical. During the evening they 
are brought in lying loosely in a hat. The first person 
makes some statement about the advice slip he is to 
get, and then, taking out a slip, reads it. For example, 
a young fellow w T ho has succeeded well in the West 
makes the statement: "It is mighty foolish to follow 
this advice," and reaches in the hat to take out the slip, 
"Go West, young man, and grow up with the country." 
Some very ridiculous combinations will form them- 
selves in this way. Ofttimes exactly the right words 
will precede the advice. At other times it will be oppo- 
site to what you expect. 

Mysterious Fortune-Telling. 

The following new method for creating fun and 
interest was sent to The Christian Endeavor World 
by Barclay C. Winslow, of Hutchinson, Kansas: "Pre- 
pare as many blank cards as there are guests. Upon 
these cards write appropriate 'fortunes' for each, by 
using a new pen and a solution of potassium ferrocy- 
anide in water (one dram to four ounces), which will 

54 



Pure and Heartening Fun for Young People 

be invisible. Arrange separate lists for ladies and 
gentlemen. Each guest selects a card, hands it to the 
blind-folded, mysterious 'alchemist,' who dips it into a 
water solution of ferric chloride (one dram to four 
ounces), and the writing flashes out a deep blue." 

Tube Paints and Butterflies. 

A surprising result can be secured for a party of 
young people with tube paints and unruled writing 
paper. Take a piece of unruled writing paper about 
six inches square, and fold it together once. Open 
it up, and along one side of the crease drop a little 
particle of paint from a tube. Use three or four 
colors, thus having three or four little mounds of 
paint. Then fold the sheet again. Now take a 
knife and, with the flat side laid over the folded 
part of the sheet, press the paint out so that it will 
take the form of a butterfly wing. The paint will show 
through the sheet usually so that you can see exactly 
how it is spreading. A very poor artist can succeed with 
a little care. Open the sheet up, and you will find a 
fairy-like-formed butterfly, with many-colored wings. 
If the first trial is not a success, try again; it is not 
much trouble to make several attempts. Keep the best 
ones, and put them on exhibition. 



55 



CHAPTER III. 

Special Occasions Promising Profit 
and Social Joy. 

We have a right to make all things serve and con- 
tribute to our gospel. We may tincture everything 
with the glad message of Jesus. He may be brought 
into every place that is fit for upright and high-pur- 
posed folk to go. We do not need to sign anything 
over to Satan. To teach the world this fact, it is fre- 
quently necessary for the Church to pre-empt holidays 
and gala occasions, and show how to observe them. 
It is often well to save the Church from cliquish parties 
by foreclaiming fun-making times for the Christian or- 
ganization. In this way many who would also be left 
out in loneliness, attend and make abiding 'friendships. 
By observing patriotic occasions, valuable lessons may 
be taught, and the eye and the ear of some will be 
caught who would otherwise not even look at the 
Church. In the study of historic events it is easily pos- 
sible to emphasize the prominence of devout disciples. 
In the consideration of factories and local issues, an 
open door is assured into the hearts of the people, pecul- 
iarly interested, while valuable information is at the 

56 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

same time sent out as seed-thought. In arranging 
socials that utilize peculiar material, personally gath- 
ered, we develop people, rivet loyalty, and open up 
fresh mines. The "vacation social" illustrates this fact. 
So we must be alert to seize and utilize every special 
occasion for teaching or profitably pleasing the people 
about us. 

"Special Days." 

Rev. Peter Jacobs, of Silver City, Iowa, Fourth Vice- 
President of the Iowa State Epworth League, has pre- 
pared the following suggestions for the Leagues of that 
State, in the hope that some or all of the days might 
be observed with a social or an entertainment. It is 
repeated here because it is valuable and full of sug- 
gestion. 

"Special Days for 1908." 

January 1, Wednesday, New Year. 

" 5, Sunday, Week of Prayer begins. 

" 11, Saturday, Bayard Taylor born, 1825. 

" 17, Friday, Benjamin Franklin- born, 1706. 

18, Saturday, Daniel Webster born, 1782. 
" 25, Saturday, Robert Burns born, 1759. 
Conversion of St. Paul. 
29, Wednesday, William McKinley born, 1843. 
Carnation Day. 
" 30, Thursday, Day of Prayer for colleges. 
February 2, Sunday, Christian Endeavor Anniversary, 1881. 
"Ground Hog Day." 
" 7, Friday, Charles Dickens born, 1812. 
" 12, Wednesday, Abraham Lincoln born, 1809. 
" 14, Friday, St. Valentine's Day. 

57 



Social Plans for Young People 

February 15, Saturday, " Remember the Maine," 1898. 
19, Wednesday, Edgar A. Poe born, 1809. 
11 22, George Washington born, 1732. 

James Russell Lowell born, 1819. 
" 26, Wednesday, Victor Hugo born, 1802. 
" 27, Thursday, Longfellow born, 1807. 
March 1, Sunday, W. D. Howells born, 1837. 
" 4, Ash Wednesday, Lent begins. 
" 17, Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day. 
" 19, Thursday, David Livingstone born, 1813. 
" 24, Tuesday, Fanny Crosby born, 1820. 
April 1, Wednesday, All Fool's Day. 
Bismarck born, 1815. 
" 3, Friday, Washington Irving born, 1783. 
" 12, Sunday, Palm Sunday. 

Decision Day in Sunday-school. 
Henry Clay born, 1777. 
" 13, Monday, Thos. Jefferson born, 1743. 

17, Friday, Good Friday. 
" 19, Sunday, Easter. 

Patriot's Day, 1775. 
Primrose Day in England. 
" 22, Wednesday, Arbor Day. 

J. Sterling Morton born, 1833. 
" 23, Thursday, Wm. Shakespeare born, 1564. 
" 27, Monday, U. S. Grant born, 1822. 
May 1, Friday, May Day. 
Dewey Day, 1898. 
" 8, Saturday, John Brown born, 1800. 
" 15, Friday, Epworth League Anniversary, 1889. 

Bird Day. 
" 24, Sunday, Memorial Sunday. 

25, Monday, Ralph Waldo Emerson born, 1803. 
" 28, Thursday, Ascension Day. 
" 30, Saturday, Decoration Day. 

58 



( < 


15, 


" 


17, 


< < 


24, 


(I 


28, 


July 


1, 


11 


4, 


< « 


10, 


< < 


17, 


August 6, 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

June 7, Sunday, Pentecost. 

" 14, Sunday, Children's Day in Sunday-school. 
Flag Day, adopted, 1777. 
Harriet B. Stowe born, 1812. 
Monday, Magna Charta, 1215. 
Wednesday, John Wesley born, 1703. 
Wednesday, John the Baptist Day. 
Sunday, Patriotic Sunday. 
Wednesday, Dominion Day, Canada. 
Saturday, Independence Day, 1776. 
Nathaniel Hawthorne born, 1804. 
Friday, Columbus born, 1447. 
Friday, Issac Watts born, 1674. 
Thursday, Alfred Tennyson born, 1809. 
Transfiguration of Jesus. 
13, Thursday, Pilgrim's Progress published, 1684. 
" 15, Saturday, Walter Scott born, 1771. 
" 29, Saturday, O. W. Holmes born, 1809. 
September 2, Wednesday, Eugene Field born, 1850. 

6, Sunday, Epworth League Rally. 

7, Monday, Labor Day. 

15, Tuesday, J. Fenimore Cooper born, 1789. 
22, Tuesday, Emancipation Proclamation, 1862. 
" 27, Sunday, Sunday-school Rally. 
October 12, Monday, Discovery of America, 1492. 

27, Tuesday, Theodore Roosevelt born, 1858. 
" 30, Friday, Dedication of Solomon's Temple, 
B. C. 1004. 
31 Saturday, All Hallowe'en. 
November 3, Tuesday, W. Cullen Bryant born, 1794. 
Election Day. 
10, Tuesday, Martin Luther born, 1483. 
" 26, Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. 
" 29, Sunday, World's Temperance Day. 

59 



Social Plans for Young People 

December 9, Wednesday, John Milton born, 1608. 

11 10, Thursday, Wm. Lloyd Garrison born, 1805. 

17, J. G. Whittier born, 1807. 

18, Friday, Charles Wesley born, 1708. 

" 20, Sunday, Louisiana Purchase Day, 1803. 

11 25, Friday, Christmas. 

11 27, Sunday, John the Evangelist. 

29, Tuesday, W. E. Gladstone born, 1809. 

31, Thursday, Watch Night. 

Calendar Exhibition. 

The printing-press is turning out many specimens of 
rare beauty. It surprises one to discover the artistic 
calendars now printed for advertising purposes. An 
unusual and striking exhibition can be provided by en- 
couraging a collection to be displayed. Some people 
are hobbyizing along this line. The young people's 
organization could award formal diplomas to the best 
collection or to the most artistic single calendar. They 
could use a locally prepared "award" certificate that 
would be valuable and at the same time advertise the 
Church. If this is impossible, blue and red ribbons 
could at least be given. The collections could be 
grouped in various ways. The Sunday-school may be 
pitted against the Young People, to see which has the 
finest collection. The Ladies' Aid and the Men's Club 
might also be added, giving each group one of the four 
corners of the exhibition-room. A few of the best sub- 
jects will doubtless offer an opportunity for a story. 
The work of the finest artists is ofttimes reproduced 

60 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

on calendars. The history of this artist, together with 
a story of the painting, would be intensely interesting. 
Every one would be glad to hear a description dealing 
with the making of the calendar. Some presses can 
now put four and six colors on a piece of paper. It 
would not be amiss at the same time for some one else 
to tell about the manufacture of paper and of ink. It 
w T ould also be appropriate to have some one give a 
history of the names assigned to the months of the year. 
He could also relate how w T e keep track of them, and 
why it is that one year is frequently a day longer than 
the other years. There are so many interesting things 
to be related at a calendar exhibition. It will catch 
folks that nothing else will attract. 

Lincoln's Birthday Suggestions. 

Lincoln's Birthday affords a wide opportunity for 
a patriotic program. Many local features will color it 
attractively. The old settlers gladly make suggestions 
and co-operate. An interesting and instructive collec- 
tion of Civil War souvenirs can always be gathered. 
Ofttimes the owners can tell valuable instances that 
enrich history and attract people. We are accustomed 
to garbing ourselves in costumes appropriate for Co- 
lonial days, but we seldom reproduce those of the 
sixties. It would be a fine thing to have a few young 
men dressed in the uniforms that were worn during 
the Civil War. If one-half dozen uniforms could be 
secured, together with old guns, a military drill given 

61 



Social Plans for Young People 

by young men dressed in them would be three times as 
interesting as an ordinary one. If a set of pictures 
representing Lincoln from boyhood to martyrdom were 
pasted on cards and hung on the wall, valuable facts 
might be impressed. These could be taken from books, 
or even old photographs might be borrowed. An exhi- 
bition of volumes dealing with the life of Lincoln 
would also surprise and influence folk. Have two or 
three of Lincoln's best speeches reproduced by good de- 
claimers. One or two essays might deal with different 
phases of his life. Interesting games could also be 
devised. For example, one person gives an historical 
event beginning with "L," another adds one beginning 
with the letter "I," and so on, until the name is spelled 
out. A unique and striking souvenir of the occasion 
will make the event live for many days after it is 
over. 

Saint Valentine's Day. 

Here is a Valentine-Day suggestion, given in the 
Epworth Herald some time ago, by Miss Maude B. 
Little. It looks promising enough to deserve a place 
here, and so I have pushed it in. 

THE POETS AND CUPID. 

For St. Valentine's Day. 

Use the February Flower (Primrose) for Decoration. 
Scripture Lesson — Ruth ii, 11-17. 
Prayer. 
Vocal Solo— "An Old Sweetheart of Mine." (J. W. Riley.) 

62 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

Reading — "The Lover's Coming." (Jean Ingelow.) 
Recitation— " Love Omnipresent." (N. P. Willis.) 
Reading by Four Leaguers— "What is Love." (John Dryden.) 
Vocal Solo— " Will You Love Me When I 'm Old? " 
Recitation — "The Three Lovers." (Will Carleton in 

"Farm Legends.") 
Reading— " Love's Sweet Memories." (Sarah J. Lippincott, 

" Grace Greenwood.") 
Mandolin and Guitar Duet — "Juanita." (Norton) 
Recitation — "Lady Clare." (Tennyson.) 
Vocal Solo — " Take Back the Heart." (Claribel.) 
Reading — "My Eyes, How I Love You! " (J. G. Saxe.) 
Recitation — "Adieu." (Thomas Carlyle.) 
Instrumental Music — " Wedding March from Lohengrin." 

"During the rendition of this piece the guests choose 
partners and march into an adjoining room, where the 
old game of 'quoits' is played with heart-shaped rings 
substituted for round ones. For every point won a 
small red paper heart is given. One-half the number 
of these have written upon them the name of some 
familiar character in poetry; as Lowell's 'Rosaline,' 
Shakespeare's 'Romeo,' or Lytton's 'Leoline.' The 
remaining hearts contain a word which jingles with 
the name; as, 'queen,' 'so,' 'seen,' etc. The person 
collecting the most rhymes is then introduced as 'poet 
laureate,' and must appear at the next League social 
with an original poem, each line ending with one of 
the words which he holds. Distribute slips of paper 
for a musical contest. A serenade of six sentimental 
ditties is played from without. All are played on dif- 
ferent instruments simultaneously, the guests to write 

63 



Social Plans for Young People 

the titles from memory, the most correct list to be read 
aloud. Another exercise which may be enjoyed is a 
list of couplets or quotations descriptive of some heroine 
in verse, which the chairman reads aloud, to be an- 
swered by the men present, as: 

' Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth 

Of simple beauty and rustic health.' 
1 Queen rose of the rosebud garden of girls.' 
' And this maiden she lived with no other thought than to love 

and be loved by me.' 
' Loveliest of Dacotah women." 

' See, there she stands and waves her hands upon the quay." 
' She would never endure an impertinent stare ; 

It re horrid, she says, and I must n't sit there.' 
' O, pale, pale now, those rosy lips I aft hae kissed sae fondly.' 
' Her face it is the fairest that e'er the sun shone on.' " 

Valentine Postoffice. 

Valentine Day offers opportunity for large fun and 
even profit. A postoffice could be opened at the social. 
Each person should drop in one or more valentines 
addressed to individuals. These valentines must be 
called for in due order and opened. They might con- 
sist of original poems, or stories, or good quotations. 
The program is made up by each person reading his 
valentine. Funny original drawings may also be dis- 
tributed, and the person receiving one be compelled to 
copy it as correctly as possible on the blackboard. It 
would be well to have some one read an essay giving 
an account of the origin of Valentine Day. A big heart 

64 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

pasted on a sheet offers an opportunity for a blindfolded 
person to see how near the center he can pin an arrow. 
An exhibition of original designs for valentines might 
uncover talent and create interest. Partners could be 
formed by cutting a heart in as intricate a way as 
possible, into two parts. One part is given to a gentle- 
man and the other to a lady. The refreshments should 
be in conformity with the evening. 

HALLOWE'EN SUGGESTIONS. 

The Young People's organization should pre-empt 
the right to every fun-making holiday for a unique and 
heart-cheering social. It can thus draw people to the 
Church, and at the same time keep the young people 
from harmful amusements likely to come at these "free- 
going" times. Halloween is such an occasion. There 
are so many original minds among the young people 
that one runs a risk in making suggestions, but even an 
old game may lead us out into new channels. 

a HIDDEN MEETING-PLACE. 

One bubbling-over crowd arranged carefully for the 
girls to meet in a section of the city unknown to the 
boys. It took a good deal of secrecy and scheming, but 
they succeeded pretty well. It was then the boys' 
business to find the house where the girls were meeting. 
After awhile they found them all masked, and dressed 
in sheets. Of course, their first task was to identify 
them. 

5 65 



Social Plans for Young People 

b STREET TRAMPS TO A BARN. 

Another lot of lively younger folk chose a barn in 
a remote place, whose location was known to a very 
few people. The committee went there early and 
adorned it with the usual pumpkin faces and "witch" 
booths. The crowd met at the Church, and under the 
leadership of a sheeted figure, with a mask to hide his 
identity, started through alleys and across vacant lots 
to find the barn. The leader knew the destination, and 
planned to take them the longest possible route and 
in the most unusual ways to the rendezvous. Every 
one was supposed to wear a sheet. The procession 
made an imposing spectacle. Arriving at the destina- 
tion, the company was led up a ladder through the 
garret of the barn, and then down the steps to the 
floored carriage-house, where all sorts of games were 
provided. At another time the company started from 
a small room in the church, and were led several blocks 
back again to the parlors of the church, which were 
darkened when the crowd left. 

C FORTUNE-TELLING AIDS. 

A few old games may suggest others. In a pan filled 
with sand put a number of rhymes predicting the future 
of the boys who are likely to attend. Of course, no 
names will be written, but if possible give the rhymes 
a local color. It would add to the fun to write given 
names on the slips. The boys, blindfolded, take out 

66 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

one rhyme after another, and at once read it aloud. 
Provide another for the girls in the same way. Re- 
markable hits will be made. Or all of the names of 
the girls may be put in the pan later, and each boy 
takes out one, and this one he is to take as his partner 
for refreshments, and also to accompany her home, no 
matter whom he came with. Blindfold the boys, and 
have them describe the dress of some girl, and the one 
most nearly designated will be his partner for the game. 
To do this it will be necessary for the boys to be put 
into another room and to remain in ignorance about 
what they are to do until led into the girls' assembly- 
room, blindfolded. 

d HORSE-SHOE USE AND EXHIBIT. 

Suspend a fair-sized horse-shoe from a door. Provide 
three small apples that will pass through the shoe with- 
out leaving much room to spare. Give every one a 
chance to throw them through. If the three come out 
the other side without shaking the shoe, good luck is 
insured for the year. Ask every one to bring a horse- 
shoe with him, and make a display of them, with. the 
names of the owners attached. At some time during 
the evening request every one to tell where he got the 
shoe and how long it has belonged to him. Award 
various colored ribbons to the exhibits. The oldest shoe, 
or the best-preserved one that has been in actual use, or 
the oddest-shaped one, or the one brought from the 

67 



Social Plans for Young People 

farthest place after coming off the foot of the horse. 
A dozen other rewards will suggest themselves. 

e LETTER-MARKED PUMPKINS. 

Mark letters of the alphabet around a pumpkin. 
Whirl a person around and command him, on stopping, 
to stab into the yellow fruit with a hat pin previously 
placed in his hands. The letter on' the pumpkin which 
he strikes will start the name of the future husband or 
wife, or the profession he will enter, or the town he 
will live in, or the kind of fruit he likes best, or any- 
thing else agreed upon. . The same plan may be pursued 
by blindfolding a person. 

f — girls' destiny settled. 

Have three pans of water. Blindfold the girls one 
by one, and lead them up after the pans have been re- 
arranged, so that they do not know where the different 
ones sit. They must then put their fingers into one or 
the other. Those who select the soapy one are to be 
widows ("grass or sod"). Those who select the clear 
one are to live happily married, and the empty dish, are 
to be "unclaimed or resisting" sisters, poor old maids, 
all the ( ir lives. 

g LEAD LETTERS. 

Melt lead and drop it into water. It is sure to take 
some unusual shape that can be interpreted by the alert 
minds of the young. This will tell the trade of the 

68 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

man the girl is to marry. Or it will predict the line 
of the extravagance of the wife. Or it will tell the 
name of the town where the final home will be made. 
It can be named almost anything. It will, however, be 
surprising how many different shapes the lead will take. 

h — Hallowe'en greetings for new guests. 

There are many ways of breaking the ice at a Hal- 
lowe'en social. One crowd of young people blindfolded 
each new guest, and compelled him to shake hands with 
each person, in turn, and tell who it was. If he failed 
after three guesses, he was told, and the letter beginning 
the name was put on his back with chalk. The name 
of the person not known may be written on a piece of 
paper and the poor guesser be compelled to find that 
person after the bandage is removed. This latter plan 
would enable him to get acquainted with every one in 
attendance. Here is another plan possible for use. 
As the guests come, write each one's name on a card. 
After awhile pin these, one by one, on people's backs. 
It will then be necessary for each person to find whose 
name is on his back, by asking questions. 

Fall Vacation Recitals. 

This is the day of vacation. Most firms recognize 
that better work results if employees are given a couple 
of weeks for change and rest. The extra-strenuous life 
of America demands it. Foolish people alone neglect to 

69 



Social Plans for Young People 

take a period of recreation. Nearly every one has a 
different way of spending the rest time. Announce in 
the spring that a vacation social will be held in the fall. 
Every one will be asked to tell something about his 
actions during that period. Conscious of this fact, every 
one will, be alert to discover and preserve interesting 
and valuable material to tell about at this social. In this 
way he will get more out of the vacation, since he will 
seek for sights and incidents. The social will be full of 
suggestions. It will open new ways of spending the 
time, as well as suggest places within reach of most 
pocketbooks. The joy and light of each will be con- 
tributed to a common fund upon which all can draw. 
The likes and bents of various folk will be discovered 
and made vivid. Request each one to bring back pic- 
tures or mementos of their trips. The kodak patron can 
make an interesting exhibit. He might be able to repro- 
duce some pictures for a stereopticon. The historical 
mind would tell about events related to the place he 
visited. The ' 'mixer" would joyfully relate an account 
of renowned people he had seen or had become ac- 
quainted with. A few have discovered new games, 
which they can suggest and lead in trying. Even the 
people who remain at home will doubtless be able to 
tell about some new book read or work done in the 
home yard. A few who wasted the vacation period will 
be made ashamed of themselves and will be led to plan 
for better employment for another year. Endless possi- 
bilities open up for such a social. 

70 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

Amateur Photography Display. 

This is the day of amateur photography. Nearly 
every one has a picture-producer, or else copies of pic- 
tures taken by friends. Request each one to bring the 
five best kodak pictures in his possession. Place them in 
a cluster on exhibition. Appoint judges to blue-ribbon 
the best five, and to red-ribbon the second-best collection 
of five. After the judges have designated the best five 
pictures on exhibition, request the owners to tell the 
history of the pictures. Invite the best-posted local 
owner of a kodak supply store to explain how to get the 
best results with a camera. Another, an amateur, will 
probably be glad to tell how he develops a negative and 
prints pictures. A few might spontaneously relate 
amusing incidents experienced -in taking pictures.. It 
will not be amiss to allow some dealer to put supplies 
on sale, together with kodaks, if he allows a liberal 
commission to the organization on all goods sold. 
This plan carries so many local suggestions that few 
details are necessary here. 

Apportioning Seasons to Groups. 
Represent the seasons at a social. The membership 
may be divided into four sections. This may be accom- 
plished by appointing four leaders and having them 
choose the remainder of the young people. Each group 
will then meet and plan, for weeks, to represent the 
seasons assigned. There will be a spirit of rivalry. 
Assign each group twenty minutes on a program, and 

71 



Social Plans for Young People 

let them use the time for recitations, for songs, for pan- 
tomime work, or in any way it chooses. The judges, 
who are unrelated to the participants, will render a 
decision as to the best representation. Outsiders will 
be invited to attend, and may, by their costume, repro- 
duce any season they desire. After all groups have 
finished, games of various sorts may be played. Let the 
audience vote the most desirable of the four seasons. 
Interest as many as possible in the costumes. Have 
some one read a paper giving an account of the origin 
of the names. Much originality and interest is possible. 
Blue-ribbon the best represented season, as well as de- 
cide the best feature-section on the program. 

Bird-Study Evening. 

Try an evening with birds. Close and profitable 
interest is insured. Assign subjects to individuals inter- 
ested along this line. Some will prepare a paper on 
different species. Others will gather illustrations of 
the sense exhibited by particular birds. Of course, they 
will be warned against "nature fakers." A local dealer 
will probably loan a few stuffed birds. A strong 
paper can be written discouraging the use of birds for 
hats, etc. The wanton hunter might also be aroused 
to see not only his cruelty, but the danger brought on 
the country by so freely killing everything that comes 
within reach of shot. We are told that destructive 
insects are picked off fruit and grain by some birds that 
are counted common pests. It would be interesting if 

72 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

a few trained birds could be displayed. A parrot might 
talk. The possibility and method of teaching a crow 
to converse might be explained. The work of carrier 
pigeons would amaze most auditors. Pictures of most 
all of the feathered tribe, beautifully colored and very 
realistic, can usually be secured. Plenty of details will 
suggest themselves to make this an enriching evening. 

Rose Facts and Lessons. 

A rose evening need not be limited to California. 
Every community at certain seasons can arrange them. 
Decorate with roses profusely. Go to the woods and 
get some of the simple-faced, wild ones. Give every 
guest as nice a one as can be secured. Have several 
poems on roses read. Have some one look up the origin 
of the name, and cultivation of some of the most beauti- 
ful blossoms. Invite an expert, who will give infor- 
mation about success in raising them. Have a few 
people tell why they like roses, and others draw lessons 
and illustrations from them. Request every one that 
can do so to bring a bouquet, and send them to the 
hospital. Charge an admission, or take up an offering, 
and use the money to buy a few beautiful rose-bushes 
for some old people who love them but are too poor 
to buy them. It might also be interesting to find out 
if anything can be manufactured from roses. A de- 
scription of the process employed in making perfumery 
will hold attention. Make roses so prominent that 
people will go away anxious to carry the beauty and 

73 



Social Plans for Young People 

the fragrance of the rose in their faces, so that they 
may remind people of God's gardens in the Homeland. 

Corn-Carnival Possibilities. 

Atchison, Kansas, has achieved almost a national 
reputation by virtue of the corn carnival which it 
inaugurated in the fall a few years ago. There is no 
reason why many Churches could not imitate it on a 
small scale. Blue-ribbon the best dozen ears brought 
into the exhibit. One or more of the local merchants 
will offer a few prizes. Give a reward for the best 
"Johnny cake" exhibited. Serve corn pan-cakes with 
corn syrup. Decorate with strung corn of various 
colors, and with husks and the full stalk. The "silks" 
can also be used to advantage. Dolls unique and cute 
can be made and sold, as can all sorts of curious things; 
all out of corn. Have some one give a list of the things 
made out of corn, and tell how they are manufactured. 
Invite an expert to tell the best methods of raising corn. 
Gather some jokes and some "Kansas" and "Okla- 
homa" stories about its size and growth, to be read 
publicly at frequent intervals. There is large oppor- 
tunity for originality and profit in such a "carnival." 
It can be made to run for two or three days, if so 
desired. 

Local Mill or Factory Study. 

Plan a study of the local mill or factory. Pick about 
five people, and have them meet the general manager 

74 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

and agree which department each one shall study, to 
gather a description of its work. Ask the general man- 
ager if he will relate the history of the plant from its 
inception to date. Possibly he will provide the essayists 
with samples showing the work of each department. 
He might also be willing to furnish an exhibition of 
the finished products. If possible, have the employees 
suggest a representative who will point out the way in 
which the Church can be helpful to them. Advertise 
the program extensively in the city. Residents will be 
surprised to learn of the size and importance of the 
local plant. The employees will be pleased at the 
attention given them, and will think more kindly of 
the religious organization in the future. The factory 
owners will likely be more ready to give practical en- 
couragement to the Church in the following days. The 
Church must create for itself a standing among men 
if it gets a hearing. Such plans as this will touch lives 
that will otherwise fail to notice its presence or hear 
its gospel. 

National Flags and Governments. 

Endeavor to secure the flags of a number of foreign 
nations. If this is impossible, procure the pictures of 
several or, better still, endeavor to discover a local 
artist who can draw a large-size reproduction of them. 
Around a flag build a study of the nation it represents. 
The origin of the flag may be told. The form of 
government should be described. This will easily lead 

75 



Social Plans for Young People 

up to a study of our own flag, and a contrast showing 
the larger liberties of Americans. Warnings can be 
brought in to impress what is necessary to make the 
Stars and Stripes continue to be the herald of great 
liberty. In this way patriotism can be promulgated in 
an unusual and striking way. The story of the little 
old woman who made the first American flag, and the 
picture of her home, which still stands in Philadelphia, 
can be reproduced. For five cents a souvenir picture 
can be purchased from the association which is preserv- 
ing the old house in its original state. Striking stories 
can be gathered about every flag. Amazing conditions 
of government will open up. Professor Steiner, in the 
"Trail of the Immigrant," states that two-thirds of the 
100,000 Bohemians in Chicago are infidels. They 
identify religion with the Catholic Church, which gives 
backing to the terrible oppression which their country- 
men are compelled to endure. Even the German flag 
or the English flag does not stand for the large liberty 
and opportunity that come under the protection of the 
glorious American banner. 

Mock Trials, Legislatures, Councils. 

We can not afford to outgrow the old-fashioned 
mock trial, legislature, and city council. There is 
limitless fun in such a program, and unusual and im- 
pressive information may be gathered. One of the 
most aristocratic Churches in Denver recently had a 
mock trial, given by the Men's Club, composed of 

76 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

lawyers, doctors, etc. Few people really know how a 
court of justice is run. There is always a competent 
person who will consent to sit as Judge and instruct 
concerning procedure. Either a local case can be taken 
up, or a supposed cause of suit can be hatched, involving 
some prominent members of the League. The legis- 
lature can also assemble and have vigorous discussion 
over a Local Option bill. This may gather real atten- 
tion, and may help to shape a usable "bill." The city 
council may also be in session in a Church-room. 
There are usually Irish members who can be imper- 
sonated, as well as Germans. The "council" session 
may "take off" the weaknesses of members. Or it 
may enter into real problems, discussing them in a 
serious way. This will often lead to thought, and 
sometimes it will bring action. Of course, all of the 
speeches, bills, and motions must be carefully thought 
out. Preparation must be insisted upon, since one thing 
to be gained is the intellectual stimulus that comes in 
this way. Practical information and parliamentary 
drill also result. 

Realistic Ocean and European Travel. 

A "trip to Europe" program offers vast possibilities 
for information and fun. Each step of the journey may 
be assigned to different individuals. One investigates 
the best steamboat company, giving its history, its rates, 
its finest boat (showing a picture, if possible, with a 
diagram of the interior) its equipment of men, and 

77 



Social Plans for Young People 

passenger capacity, the cost of running it across, and 
the time consumed in the trip. Many interesting facts 
can be gathered, e. g., the Cunard Line has never lost 
a boat or had a dangerous accident, because of extreme 
caution. This "line" began by adopting the model of 
"Whittling Sammy' ' Cunard, who had worked long 
in cutting out with his knife a new ship model, which 
came to the attention of some practical capitalists. 
Another paper could gather up "experiences of ocean 
travel." This might include games played, food served, 
entertainments given, "sick" stones and experiences, 
wireless telegraph, boat newspapers, and a score of 
other things. The next essay could deal with the rail- 
roads of foreign lands, their ownership, rules, style of 
cars, speed, price of tickets, "classes," road bed, acci- 
dents, and a dozen other similar things of engrossing 
interest. Another paper might take up the street car, 
bus, and hack service, and the peculiar vehicles used, 
the odd customs of the drivers, and the charges made. 
Still another paper could take up a study of the hotels, 
inns, and boarding-houses. Here is place for a descrip- 
tion of the meals, the menu, the service, the rules, and 
other things so different from our own land. 

Recognizing Advertising Samples. 

This is the age of advertising. More than a billion 
dollars a year is now spent in publicity work. He 
who fails to use printer's ink will find himself in the 
rear of the procession. Every one reads the ads. It 

78 



Occasions Promising Profit and Social Joy 

is interesting and instructive. Cut out thirty or forty 
of the most common, and so remove the names of the 
firms that the only thing left to recognize them will be 
a trademark or some picture that is used regularly, 
e. g. } the picture of the devil is used with Underwood's 
deviled ham. A little dog, listening, appears with an- 
other advertisement. Pin these clippings around the 
wall, and write a number on every one. Start the 
people about, to discover the things with the partially 
reproduced advertisement represents. After awhile col- 
lect the lists and correct them. Memory will be tested. 
Some may also get pointers about advertising as the 
best remembered ads. are noticed. A specialist can be 
found to give a valuable address on the subject. 

Here is a list of advertisements that were clipped and 
fastened about the wall of a room, with the particular 
name of the firm obliterated: "Douglas Shoe," "Os- 
trander Real Estate," "Ostermoor Mattresses," "Globe- 
Wernicke Elastic Book Case," "Mennen's Toilet Pow- 
der," "Lowney's," "Force," "Van Camp's Soups," 
"Zu-Zu," "Corticelli Silk," "Rising Sun Stove Polish," 
"Saturday Evening Post," "Corliss Coon Collar," 
"Eastman's Kodak," "Quaker Oats," "Baker's Choco- 
late," "A Home Like Church," "Ivory Soap," "Presi- 
dent Suspenders," "Prudential," "Shredded Wheat," 
"Libby Pork and Beans," "Eskay Food," "Victor 
Talking Machines," "Hand Sapolio," "Vitos," "Pearl- 
ine," "Garland Stoves," "Egg-O-See," "Heintz's Pork 
and Beans," "The Arrow Collar," "Colorado Sani- 

79 



Social Plans for Young People 

tarium," "Gold Medal Flour," "Swift's Hams," 
"Whitley's Exerciser," "Pettijohn," "Jello," "Toffee 
King," "Bon Ami," "Underwood's Deviled Ham," 
"Boston Garter," "Fairy Soap," "Youth's Com- 
panion." 

Weekday-Fair Booths. 

It is foolish to use the incident, when Jesus 
cleansed the temple, to prove that the Church 
money-raising undertakings are sinful. The men 
driven out by the Master were making profit for 
themselves, alone. People will work for and do- 
nate to Church fairs when otherwise their aid would 
be utterly lost. If a Church fair is planned, make 
it unusual. For example, place the articles in 
booths dedicated to different days. Monday will have 
everything for sale that is related to washday and the 
washroom. Tuesday will call to its aid the things that 
are valuable to the ironer. Wednesday will offer 
things to assist in mending. Thursday will contribute 
to the reception day. Here will come the refreshments 
that are served to immediate eaters. Friday will pre- 
sent dust-cloths and the assistance for house sweeping 
and cleaning. Saturday represents baking day. Here 
will be articles for the cook, and bulk eatables for sale. 
Sunday will suggest better clothing and encourage- 
ments to worship. Much ingenuity can be utilized in 
fixing these booths and arranging them so that people 
will be anxious to visit every single one. 

80 



CHAPTER IV. 

' Methods for Melting People into 
Friendliness. 

The Church is frequently charged with being chilly. 
This is unchristian, if true. Cordiality is Christly. 
Frigid folk often make free charges when the whole 
fault is with them. Small Churches find it easy to live 
among themselves. City congregations congeal into 
selfish circles at a small chance. Only specific effort 
can approach a solution of the problem of Church 
friendliness. Both effort and spirit are necessary on 
the part of the leaders. Friends are so potent. Char- 
acter is made or marred by fellowships. It is not 
enough to get folk to church. We must touch their 
hearts and give them daily help through the medium of 
new and warm friendships. The social life must 
largely do this. There is neither place nor time at the 
regular worship hours. Plans that melt the frost of 
aloofness and start the flow of words will win. Make 
people unbend by doing something. Search out the 
"strangers," and rub out this appellation after their 
names. Handle large companies by groups, who must 
work together and who will be put on their mettle by 

6 81 



Social Plans for Young People 

being pitted against another group. Discover hidden 
talents. Utilize local ability. Bring out names so that 
they will be printed on memory with the faces. Arouse 
and discover kindred interests. Nothing strengthens a 
Church like the solid unity growing out of friendly 
sociability. 

The plans given below are arranged in a suggestive 
order. The first ones are for first use with a new 
company, shy, and reserved. This must be banished 
by some simple scheme. The more pretentious methods 
may be employed later, or in a larger company. 

Seated on Discovery. 

Hide something in a room from which all have been 
excluded. Let the company come back. As one dis- 
covers the designated thing that has been hidden, he sits 
down without saying a word. The rest must stand up 
until they, too, discover it. Composure is tested, for 
when they find themselves alone it will agitate. Much 
merriment will be created, for some will look at the 
hidden article again and again, and not see it. 

Guessing Pages and Words. 

A little test of observation is interesting, and even 
amusing. Have some one read a paragraph, and then 
request the company to guess the number of words in 
that section. It ought to be read in a jerky way, so 
that it will test the ability of the listeners. See who 
comes closest to the correct number. Open a book, and 

82 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

give folk an opportunity to name the page number 
without seeing it. Gather up a handful of beans, and 
hold them exposed to sight, and see who will come the 
nearest to specifying the exact number. Gather a 
bunch of leaves of a book between the ringers, and see 
who can tell how many are thus together. Very many 
tests of this sort will suggest themselves. It will in- 
terest a group while they are gathering, or waiting for 
some other plan to come into use. 

"Uncle Ned" Movements. 

Stiffness spoils sociability. Anything that limbers 
folk up makes it easier to get acquainted. There are 
many little things that accomplish this result. Here 
is one that came to my observation recently: The first 
person turns to the one on the right, and says: "Do 
you know Uncle Ned?" The answer comes: "Which 
one?" Ttie questioner replies by saying: "The one who 
hammers so." (He then begins by pounding his right 
knee.) The one on the right then turns to his right- 
hand neighbor and asks the same question, and answers 
in the same way. So it continues until every one in 
the circle is pounding his right knee. When all are at 
this task, the first speaker begins again, and this time 
describes Uncle Ned as one who pounds his left knee. 
The question again passes around the circle until every 
one is pounding his right and left knees. When all are 
busy at this task, the beginner then describes Uncle Ned 
as the one who nods his head. This goes around the 

83 



Social Plans for Young People 

circle until every one is pounding the right and left 
knees and nodding the head. This will make the com- 
pany so ridiculous that every one will be so shaken with 
laughter that it will be difficult to keep up the move- 
ment. If however it is, other things can be added until 
the movement of the company thoroughly limbers the 
last person. 

Numbers as Reminders. 

Put a lot of numbers into a hat and, without looking, 
have each person draw out one. As soon as he looks 
at it each one must tell of what the number reminds 
him, e. g., "4" recalls "July 4th," "13" recalls the 
original number of stripes in our flag, "24" may remind 
one of some one else's age or of a date when an unusual 
personal experience occurred. "Thirty-five" may vivify 
a meeting or party attended, where that number was 
present. And so anything that a number recalls is 
given. It will be interesting to see what stays close to 
the surface of the different minds. Much fun may also 
come from it, ludicrous events being brought up. 

A Buzz Circle. 

A circle company is kept alert and thinking by a 
little game called "Buzz." Some one in the circle 
starts with "Number one;" the next says, "Two;" the 
next, "Three," and so on around the circle. The one 
next to "six," who would ordinarily say "seven," must, 
instead, say, "Buzz." If he fails to do so he is out 

84 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

of the circle at the next count. So the numbers con- 
tinue all around the circle again and again. Every time 
one is to speak a number that either has "seven" In 
it or is a multiple of "seven," he must, instead of giving 
the number, say "Buzz." As each person makes a 
mistake he drops out of the circle, and the test is made 
to see who will remain in the longest. For example, 
the following numbers require one to say "Buzz:" 
Seven, fourteen, seventeen, twenty-one, twenty-seven, 
twenty-eight, seventy, etc. Ridiculous mistakes will 
be made by bright people. 

Furnishing a Refrigerator. 

The old game of "My Grandfather keeps in his 
Refrigerator" will never lose its fun-making power. 
It also rewards and develops memory. The first one 
starts in and says: "My grandfather keeps in his re- 
frigerator, apples." The next repeats this, and adds 
as ridiculous a thing, that begins with "b," as he can 
think of.- The next repeats both of these, and adds one 
that begins with "c." So it goes through the whole 
alphabet, each one adding one article and repeating all 
that has gone before. It may come something like this : 
"My grandfather keeps in his refrigerator apples, bats, 
candles, darkies, eggs, flatirons, goats, hearts, ice, jugs, 
knockers," etc. The game may be made to teach some- 
thing about eatables, and the "fun" part be cut out. 
Then a real list of things must be given that are kept 
in an ice-box, in summer. 

85 



Social Plans for Young People 



Eradicating Strangeness. 

Strangers hunger for friendship. If right associa- 
tions are formed, the best character fruitage is insured. 
Backsliding frequently results from chilly receptions 
given new members who have come from Churches 
where they were well and actively known. Homesick- 
ness usually affects spiritual feelings, and misleads 
people to blame religion for it. Valuable strength may 
profitably be expended in forming fellowships for new 
people and in cheering hearts hungry for friends. We 
may give careful study to this vital question. Church 
cliques are a curse. In a limited degree they may be 
a blessing. It is well to encourage the formation of 
rallying groups. It is, however, easy for these 
"crowds" to forget strangers and to enjoy themselves 
alone. Nothing so depresses a stranger as to be shut 
out of such a circle, when at home he was a member of 
a similar group. Heart-warming, soul-cheering, home- 
like greetings, and plans must be adopted and worked. 
Young people are more susceptible to good treatment 
and social atmosphere than any other class on earth. 
They quickly respond to efforts on their behalf, and 
make big returns. 

Fines for Conversing with Friends. 

During the evening at some period announce that 
for forty-five minutes or thirty minutes any one speak- 
ing to a person whom he had met before that night, 

86 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

would be fined a penny, or more, for each offense. An 
additional penalty can be fixed for any one who is sit- 
ting alone or in silence; that is, neglecting to converse 
with a stranger. A few monitors may be appointed to 
see that the rules are enforced and penalties affixed. It 
might be well to have each person keep track of the 
names and addresses of strangers with whom he con- 
verses. 

Strangers' Names to be Located. 

As the guest enters the door, request him to write 
his first and last name in a legible manner. To insure 
best results, several good penmen might do the work 
instead. After awhile distribute these cards, insuring 
against any one getting his own by some thought-out 
method. Now commence plans to compel every person 
to know the individual whose card he holds. Two or 
three minutes are given to permit investigation. Dur- 
ing this time he must find the person designated by 
the card. Time is called, and every individual is re- 
quired to describe the one named on the card. Or he 
may be compelled to write a poem containing the first 
or the last name. Or he may be requested to form as 
many words as possible from the letters contained in 
the two names. Or he may be requested to tell some 
sort of incident that may happen to this person in the 
future. These plans may be worked by individuals or 
by little groups of five or six. The group-plan enables 
many persons to work together. In the group plan the 

87 



Social Plans for Young People 

poem would give but one line to each name. The 
groups could form a great many words out of the let- 
ters of the names in hand. The repetition of names in 
this way will compel people to notice the folk corre- 
sponding to the names, and put the two together, so 
that in the future both will be known. It is difficult 
to print a new name in memory. An unusual repetition 
of this sort will greatly aid us. It does strangers good 
to hear their own names repeated many times. 

Register and Follow up Strangers. 

Hundreds of young people's societies can greatly aid 
the Church in getting track of and giving attention to 
strangers. An appointed committee may be given 
charge of a Church register. It should be composed 
of people who are regular, well acquainted, happy, and 
easy in their bearing. This committee is near the door 
and promptly greets all strangers as they depart. After 
a cordial heart-warm handshake the stranger is asked 
to put his name on the Church register. He will sel- 
dom refuse to do so. After his name will come his 
address, then a blank place will request his Church 
preference. If he is not a member, but leans toward a 
certain denomination, this fact will be recorded. The 
chairman will give careful study to these names and 
distribute them to the proper person, who will promptly 
call on the strangers. If the stranger belongs to some 
other denomination, it might be well to notify the pas- 
tor of that Church. Enclose a self-addressed postal 

88 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

card, with a request to the pastor that he return it 
when the designated stranger has been called upon. If 
he does not take enough interest to do this, it may be 
safely concluded that it is the duty of the committee to 
see that some one from their Church calls upon the 
stranger. It is possible to be too careful about infring- 
ing upon some other denomination. If another Church 
does not promptly enter in upon its open-door oppor- 
tunity, we must not permit strangers to suffer the con- 
sequences. It then becomes our duty to take care of 
them. The register will also draw folk to it w x ho want 
to find if any one from their State or city has inscribed 
his name. It would be well for the committee to ar- 
range the names, in another part of the book, under 
different States and cities, so that the inquirers could 
be readily informed. 

Lists to be Checked Up. 

Where the company is not too large, ask all to write 
their names as they enter the room. A rapid stenogra- 
pher can quickly prepare a number of mimeograph 
copies of all those present. As soon as this is done, 
furnish each person with a list of the guests. Give 
thirty minutes for all to check up their lists. It is neces- 
sary for them to find every one on the list whom they 
do not know, and to write opposite the name the place 
of birth. If desired, the locality of Church member- 
ship may be added. Some communities furnish a list 
of membership to each comer, and expect him to get 

89 



Social Plans for Young People 

acquainted with all. The difficulty encountered here 
comes from the fact that many members are bound 
to be absent. 

Ice-Melting at Rallies. 

Local Union or Sub-district Rallies may be made 
successful or they may fall flat. Plans and the kind of 
backing given them decide this result. The starch must 
be taken out. If people feel stiff and out of place, 
they will not have a good time. If new friendships 
are formed and people are led to mingle with each 
other, then joy will fill the atmosphere as sunshine does 
a bright spring day. If with all this there is some 
kind of abiding profit, the following rally will be more 
easily worked up. Try different methods that make 
people mingle and that draw out the best workable 
plans. Ask all the Committees or Departments of work 
to gather in appointed sections of the room. Give them 
ten minutes to select the best plan used by that depart- 
ment during the year. Each representative will de- 
scribe one, and the whole group will vote the best and 
elect some one to present it. They may be allowed to 
improve it. When the company is called together, ask 
each group's speaker to tell the plan, and have judges 
designate the best. 

Assigning to Designated Captains. 

Choose ten captains, and be sure that all are on hand 
fifteen minutes before the social begins. Make no 

90 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

previous announcements of the plan to be employed, 
else people will arrange to come early or late. Put the 
captains in different sections of the room, or, better 
still, in Sunday-school classrooms, if you have them. 
As the people arrive, assign them one by one, in regular 
order, to the different captains. Suppose two sisters ar- 
rive, and then, later, three brothers. Send the first 
sister to Captain "A," the second sister to "B." Then 
send the first brother to Captain "A," the second to 
"B," and the third brother to Captain "C." The next 
lady who comes must be sent to Captain "C," and so 
on until all the captains have received into their group 
a lady and a gentleman. And then begin again, in the 
same way, with Captain "A," until all have arrived. 
In this way every individual will be assigned to one of 
the captains. Care must be exercised to divide friends, 
chums, and relatives as far as possible. The object is, 
to put people who are strangers to each other into the 
various groups. The captain will see that his group 
gets thoroughly acquainted with each other. After all 
have arrived, each group collects and arranges to pre- 
sent some sort of a concerted affair to amuse or instruct 
the rest. Captain "A" and his group, for example, will 
come in and carry out a "country school" exercise. 
Captain "B" will enter and sing one verse of a popular 
song, or act it out in silence. So each group will 
present something original and, if possible, unlike that 
given by any other one. From six to ten is a large 
enough number, as a rule, to have in one group. Some- 

91 



Social Plans for Young People 

times a larger group can be handled by a tactful leader. 
If the company is small it will not be necessary to 
appoint so many captains. If the right kind of games 
are arranged, one captain may challenge another to 
contest in a specified game. If each captain's company 
is large enough, one might pit it against the other in 
a spelling match, for the enjoyment of the rest of the 
company. There is an endless variety of things that 
can be employed if the captains carefully plan it out 
before hand and energetically put the plans into execu- 
tion. Many strangers will thus form friendships that 
last. The spirit of rivalry engendered by the captain 
melts his whole company together into closest associa- 
tion. Many of these folk were unacquainted before 
entering the group, but will never forget each other 
afterward. 

Tagging with Numbers or Letters for 
Grouping. 

Small groups of people quickly get acquainted with 
each other, especially if embarrassment is absorbed by 
the effort to collect. Prepare as many multiples of five, 
up to fifty, as you expect guests. Some time during 
the evening pin on the chest of each person one of these 
numbers. It should be large enough so that it is 
easily seen. A strong-voiced person then calls out 
some large number. It is explained that this number 
is obtained by the people forming into groups until the 
total sum of the numbers pinned on each person equals 

92 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

the number called. For example, call "150." This 
will require two persons marked "25," three persons 
marked "20," one marked "30," and two marked "5." 
It will be seen that some groups will have more people 
in them than others. Make a note of the groups. 
Which has the greatest number of people in it > which 
the fewest people who know each other, and which one 
was first formed. This is a fine plan to employ for a 
large company where many of them are strangers. 
After employing it three or four times it is well to 
request each group to withdraw and prepare some 
feature for an improvised program. The "feature" 
may be kept hidden until they present it. The group- 
planning melts all reserve and gets the members thor- 
oughly acquainted. The same method can be profitably 
employed where letters of the alphabet are used. Then 
the people are requested to gather into groups so that 
their letter labels will spell some word. Or all those 
labeled with "c" may be called into a group, and so 
with each letter employed. Or the groups may be 
requested to form so as to spell the name of some his- 
torical character, a missionary incident, or personage, 
or some fact connected with the Bible, or some local 
Church history. Any of these groups may be asked to 
read a poem, prepare a short story, sing a song, or tell 
the meaning of the word formed, or describe the town 
spelled, etc. It is well to give them something to do, 
so that it will be necessary to counsel together. 



93 



Social Plans for Young People 

Formed Groups and Features. 

Use one of the many other suggested plans to get 
people into groups. Give them ten minutes to plan 
some "feature" to be presented together. As they 
plan together they will get acquainted. Formulating 
plans will likely afford fun and, if kept a secret, help- 
ful clannishness will result. All of this aids in banish- 
ing icy reserve. At a recent summer school this was 
tried, with great success. One crowd gave an umbrella 
drill that was unique and laughter-provoking. Another 
went through the mouth-forming and gestures of sing- 
ing a popular selection. Another gave a brief exhibi- 
tion of an old-fashioned country school. Another chose 
a ridiculous charade that permitted some acting. It 
was surprising, the number of things that were origi- 
nated. The common laughter alone helped people to 
feel good and brotherly. 

Group Story-Telling. 

A good trial for the different groups that have been 
collected by one method or another is, to compose a 
group story. Suppose six people are in every group, 
and decide that a story will be written by each person, 
in order, composing a part of it. Each one is assigned 
an order in which to write. The first person writes 
twenty words and hands it to the second person, who 
adds twenty more. So it goes to each member of the 
group, who must add his twenty words to the story 

94 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

started by the first one. When the company assembles, 
each group appoints a representative to read the whole 
story. No one must edit or smooth up the story. It 
must be read just as it comes into the hands of the last 
person. This sort of work will probably illustrate the 
methods ''higher critics" declare were employed in the 
construction of Genesis. The personal language and 
style of every individual will probably be noticeable in 
this variegated story. It might be well to have a judge 
designate the best story of the lot. 

Cut-Up Quotations. 

Cut a quotation up into four very crooked pieces and 
distribute the parts to different people. After they get 
together they read it out loud. Grade the groups in 
the order of the correct grouping, counting that one 
first who most quickly gets together and reads its slip. 
After all have fitted the slips together, have another 
cluster of people, who have been idle up to this time, 
retain in their hands the names of the quoted authors. 
Each group will go among his company and try to 
quickly pick out the one holding the name of its author. 
Interest would be added if the members of this group, 
instead of holding a written slip with the name, would 
by dress or action represent the name of the author. 
They could arrange this while the different cut-up 
pieces were being put together. After the one holding 
the author's name has been discovered, there will be 
five in the group. Let these five go apart and in five 

95 



Social Plans for Young People 

minutes write a five-line poem on "peanuts," or 
"oysters," or "ice-cream." 

Poems for Groups. 

Distribute a thought-fat, smoothly-written verse of 
five lines to as many people. Select several such verses, 
so that all in a company can have a line. Mark all the 
lines of one verse "A," all the lines in another verse 
"B," and so on. All who have "A" then get into one 
group, and decide which line comes first, and practice 
reading. Call out the different groups to read their 
verses. Each individual in the group has been assigned 
one line to repeat. The group, after consideration, 
assigns the location of the line in what it believes is 
the original and correct order. The line reciter by 
voice and gesture endeavors to merge each line grace- 
fully into the preceding one. Judges may then say 
which group read its verse the best. Sometimes good 
precepts in the form of poetry are thus forcefully 
brought before people and even put permanently into 
their minds. People mingle with a group and forget 
shyness. To vary the recital, all may say their own 
lines at the same time, to see whether any lines can be 
distinguished. It would be better still if each person 
in the two minutes given could commit the line. The 
author of the verse could also be undesignated, and each 
group be asked to name the one who wrote the stanza 
assigned to them. 



96 



Melting People Into Friendliness 



Groups Committing a Stanza. 

Have five people each commit a simple verse, pref- 
erably an old nursery rhyme. At a given signal all 
five stand on the platform, and each one vigorously 
repeats his own piece as though the other person was 
not taking any part. It will be great fun to see which 
one gets the attention of the audience and holds it. It 
might be well to ask the audience to tell what one was 
heard most distinctly. The same plan could be used 
for all of them to give the same piece without any 
reference to the way in which the other one rendered it. 
One would get through before the other, or make en- 
tirely opposite gestures, or emphasize another word, etc. 
Or yet again several groups may be given the same or 
different verses to learn, and at the announced time 
appear in order. Each group would then try to give 
the stanza so completely together that it would sound 
as if only one person was rendering it. One line is 
spoken by each member of the group. It is difficult to 
render a selection in this way, and there is much possi- 
bility of fun and laughter. 

Miscellaneous Quartets. 

Prepare four copies of several popular choruses. Of 
course, there must not be more than there are members 
of the company. Distribute these miscellaneously 
among all present. Announce that the four who hold 
similar copies are to gather in a group. After all the 

7 97 



Social Plans for Young People 

quartets are collected, introduce them to the company, 
one after another, and request each quartet to sing its 
chorus. Appoint judges to select the best quartet. By 
a striking coincidence, at times, four forming an exact 
quartet will thus be formed. After each quartet has 
rendered its song alone, have all start in and sing at 
the same time, each quartet carrying its own song. 
This will sound so ridiculous that uproarious laughter 
will result. If the company is too large to make it 
advisable to furnish all of them with song slips, then 
select about twenty people for the purpose. If possible, 
see to it that every quartet contains two gentlemen and 
two ladies. This plan gets people acquainted, con- 
tributes to the program, and even reveals singers. 

Personal Packages Exchanged. 

Some one suggests a "barter" social. Each person is 
requested to bring, in a neat package, some worn-out 
or worthless or ridiculous article. No name is at- 
tached. At a given time every one starts to trade his 
article to another. This keeps up for some time, and 
methods are employed to so thoroughly mix them that 
no one knows whose bundle he has secured. After 
awhile the company is seated and the bundles are 
opened. If many papers and much string has been 
used, fun is increased. After all ,the bundles are 
opened, every person stands and tells why the original 
owner gave up that particular article. He, of course, 

98 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

does not know who did own it. The original owner 
then gets up and tells how the article fits the new 
owner. For example, it is a rubber shoe. The new 
owner declares the former owner has turned over a 
new leaf and no longer "gumshoes" into the house late 
at night. The old owner suggests that, while the rub- 
ber 'shoe is small, it may serve to cover up the bare toe 
that is coming through the stocking and shoe. It will 
readily be seen that this method will limber up the 
crowd and afford an endless opportunity for fun. 

Pairing Questions and Answers. 

Distribute a miscellaneous lot of questions and an- 
swers along the line of missions. One person has a 
question, and some one else in the room has an answer. 
It is now necessary for the two to get together without 
any directions from any other person. After awhile 
question number one is called for, is read, and the one 
holding an answer supposed to fit the question, replies. 
If these two are mistaken, a monitor corrects them. 
This plan gets people acquainted as they compare the 
question and answer, and fixes facts in the minds. Both 
the searchers and listeners are keen to discover things 
given out in this way. Sometimes only the answers are 
distributed, and one person reads all the questions. 
The individual who thinks his slip contains the correct 
reply, stands and reads. If he is mistaken, both he and 
the audience will remember it. 

99 



Social Plans for Young People 



Partners from Cobweb. 

Nearly every one has had experience with the string 
that runs all over the house before the end is found. 
If the company is small, fix as many of these strings 
running from a common point as there are men ex- 
pected. When they have all arrived, put the ladies in 
an upstairs room and have them take hold of the last 
end of the string. The young man follows the string, 
walks upstairs, and then under chairs and over tables 
until he finally comes to the end, and there he finds the 
lady who will be his company during the evening. In- 
terest is added if the young men do not know the names 
of the young ladies invited for the evening. Keep them 
hidden until the string end is reached. If this plan 
is not feasible, at the end of the string put the name of 
some young lady, and thus it will not be known who 
will reward the searcher's diligence until he finds the 
card at the end. 

Calling Name to Defend Partner. 

Form the company into couples by permitting the 
men or the ladies to choose, or, better still, use one of 
the many methods permitting no choice, known to all 
social workers ; arrange the couples in a complete circle. 
In some way select an odd man, one who has no partner 
or whose partner will be willing to drop out for a 
little while, and stand him in the center. He now 
undertakes to supplant some young man stationed by a 

100 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

lady's side in the circle. He looks around and makes 
a decision, and calls her name, immediately starting to 
count: "One, two, three," up to ten. If he reaches 
"ten" before the companion of the lady calls her name, 
then he wins, and this young man is compelled to go 
into the center in his place. This second man now imi- 
tates the procedure of the first man. If the first man 
fails to get to "ten" before the young lady's name is 
called by her defender, he tries it again and again with 
some one else less guarded, until he succeeds. After 
some time the plan is reversed and the ladies take the 
center of the circle, and the men are defended in the 
same way by their lady partners. The advantage of 
this plan is readily seen. The young man calls out a 
lady's name, every one in the circle hearing the name 
wonders who fits it, and when her defender calls out 
she is located. The two repetitions of the name fix it 
in mind. This having been done several times, there 
is little likelihood left for any one to be unknown. By 
reversing the plan, by placing a lady in the center, the 
men's names are also called out, and the same result 
is secured for them. 

Solicitor and Questions. 

By prearranged or in a very formal manner form the 
company into partners and have them stand in a circle. 
Arrange so that another stands in the middle of the 
circle. He is called a "solicitor." It is his business to 
supplant some other young man. He will turn sud- 

101 



Social Plans for Young People 

denly and address a question to a lady standing by some 
man's side. She must not answer it, but the man must 
do so. If the lady does reply or the man fails to be 
prompt in his answer, then that man must go into the 
center, while the "solicitor" takes his place. The plan 
can be varied and a lady take the part of a "solicitor," 
she to ask the man a question, while the lady answers. 
The company can be made up of men and women who 
do not alternate each other, then the person on the 
right of the one addressed must always answer the 
question. It will be exceedingly difficult for one to 
refrain from answering when the solicitor turns sud- 
denly on him if at all off his guard. The tension neces- 
sitated by the self-control will banish embarrassment 
and put every one in the circle at home. 

Locating Personal Remarks. 

Here is a little plan that will -rub out conceit as well 
as test the detective instinct of the young people. A 
designated person leaves the room. The company, one 
after the other, make remarks about his traits or appear- 
ances. These remarks are written down. When he 
returns, the spokesman of the party says: ' Some one 
says 'y° u are conceited ;' " or, "Some one says 'you have 
big ears;' " or, "Some one says 'y° u do not pay your 
bills.' ' Whenever the declaration of an individual is 
thus repeated he has a right to guess who made the 
remark originally. If he strikes it exactly, that person 
must take his place and go out of the room. 

102 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

Music for "Drop the Handkerchief." 

Play "Drop the Handkerchief" to the accompani- 
ment of music. If the music goes fast, then the walkers 
must move in the same way. They must keep time 
with the music. If they fail, they must go into the 
center, the same as if they were caught. If the music 
stops, they must stop too, and just as suddenly. 

Questions Answered with Initials. 

Start a question series. The first one makes an 
inquiry along any line. It can be serious, and so will 
turn itself to give information. For example, the first 
question might be, "Who sank the Spanish fleet at 
Manila?" One at the left, whose name is Henry 
Drew, replies: "Hustling Dewe3 r ." His reply must be 
included in two words, which begin with the same 
letters as his first and last name. He then asks a 
question connected with the Spanish War, and the per- 
son at his left must answer in the same way, using 
the letters beginning with his first and last name. So 
it goes around the circle. At another time the ques- 
tions might deal with the Bible, at another time with 
American history, at another time with the local town 
and with the local affairs. If desired, the interroga- 
tions can be turned into ludicrous channels. 

Quotations Identified. 

Give out familiar quotations miscellaneously to the 
company. After a time each one is asked to read the 

103 



Social Plans for Young People 

one in his hand, and name the author. If unable to 
do this, any one in the room can call out the author, 
and if correct, he is given the quotation. At the end 
the person having the most quotations is rewarded. 
After all have read, give any one an opportunity to 
recite correctly one from a well-known author, and at 
the same time give the author's name. Before the 
reciter names the author, give any one else in the com- 
pany a chance to recognize the author. If this is done 
correctly, the reciter loses it to that person. 

Shouting a Proverb. 

Another plan by which proverbs can be guessed. 
Send six people out of the room. They will select 
a proverb with six words and, coming back, each one of 
the group will shout out his particular word at the same 
time. It will be so confusing that it will be exceed- 
ingly difficult to pick out the sound of each word and 
so recognize the proverb. The whole company may be 
divided into several groups of six or eight, and then 
assemble together again, each group in turn shouting 
its proverb in this way, and all the rest trying to guess 
what it is. It will be interesting to see which group 
succeeds in hiding its proverb the longest. It will be 
better to form these groups by distributing numbers so 
that people not acquainted will be brought together. 
The informality of shouting, and the common interest 
aroused in the effort to excel, will melt all chilling 
reserve and make common fellowship possible. 

104 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

Guessing a Proverb. 

Select a proverb which every one knows, e. g. } 
"Make hay while the sun shines." Of course, this is 
not announced to the group of people; it is known 
alone to the one being questioned. Different ones 
begin to interrogate. Every answer he gives must con- 
tain one of the words forming the proverb. The plan 
may be varied. Some one may be sent from the room 
and be compelled to guess, on his return, from the an- 
swers to his questions the proverb agreed upon. Or 
the plan may be used for two groups, each selecting a 
representative to be sent into opposite rooms. The 
group first discovering the proverb agreed upon by the 
two representatives has the right to select some one 
from the other room, as in the game of "Spy." 

Betraying Shopping Lists. 
Furnish all the company with pencil and paper. 
Ask them to make a shopping list which would consume 
one hundred dollars. This list must not contain more 
than fifteen articles. Every one can approximate the 
cost of the things he buys. It would be well for him 
to place after the article the sum that would be spent 
for that purchase. The total, however, must not run 
beyond one hundred dollars. After these shopping lists 
are prepared, have some one read them and see if the 
company can guess who wrote the different lists. Do 
not announce this purpose, else the lists will not be 
natural and true. 

105 



Social Plans for Young People 

Lists of Favorites to be Recognized. 

Request all the guests to write out a list of "favor- 
ites," which will afterwards be read to the company. 
It might be well to refrain from stating that the list 
will be made public, or else fanciful lists will result. 
Announce the line or series of questions to be covered 
by such a written cluster of things. For example: 
Ask every one first to write down the favorite hymn, 
then the favorite fruit, the favorite season, the favorite 
city, the favorite color, book, pleasure, name, State, 
flower, scenery, or jewel. Any or all of these things 
can be suggested. Of course, there is a danger of 
getting too long a list. Request each one to write his 
name on this slip of paper, and then collect them. 
Have them read in order, and see if the company can 
identify the person who formed the list. This will be 
an interesting portrait. The likes of many folk are 
known, at least along some lines. Weaknesses may be 
revealed as well as elements of strength. Alert folk 
may discover how to reach individuals for the Kingdom 
by thus discovering a certain line of likes, which will 
open the way to the heart. 

Recognizing Written Descriptions. 

Assign the company the task of writing a word 
description of any person prominent in the Church or 
town. Limit them to seventy-five words. Gather up 
the delineations after the owner writes his name and 
that of the person described. Have the descriptions 

106 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

read one by one. Each one of the company without 
ejaculation writes down in order who he thinks is in 
the writer's mind. The order of reading and the 
guesses" are identified by numbers. At the end the 
guesses are collected and graded. It will be interesting 
to see what particular traits are impressive enough to 
be called up in such a description. The most promi- 
nent person in some line will be discovered. Drill in 
observation will be emphasized. The noticeableness of 
ugly corners will be vivified. Descriptive powers will 
be crowned. In the end read collectively the papers 
describing the same person. 

Beans and Numerals for Trading. 

Here is a scheme for testing judgment and discover- 
ing trading ability. A mathematical mind must work 
itself carefully in preparation. A set of numbers is 
prepared so that each person is given three or four 
when he comes. The mathematician has so studied 
things out that during the evening he can call in cer- 
tain numbers until only three or four are left distrib- 
uted among the company. For example, he will call 
in all numerals containing "7," then all that can be 
divided by "3," and so on. Any plan may be employed 
that will insure the bringing in of every number except 
the specified three or four. With the numbers furnish 
a little sack of beans to every guest. When all have 
arrived and are supplied with numbers and beans, the 
plan is announced. Every one uses the beans to buy 

107 



Social Plans for Young People 

numbers from other people. An individual decides that 
"13" will be one of the specified lucky numbers not to 
be called in. He will trade numbers and beans in an 
effort to secure this prize numeral. As the numbers are 
called in, the bidding, trading, and buying increases in 
zest and interest. Two awards are to be given. One 
will go to each of the individuals holding the prize 
numbers, another goes to the individual having the 
most beans. The latter will probably gain beans by 
buying numbers cheaply and selling them at an ad- 
vance. He discovers, for example, that Miss Smith 
will pay six beans for number 17. He finds the person 
holding this number, and buys it for three beans, and 
quickly finds Miss Smith, delivers the number, and so 
makes three beans. The commercial spirit, the uncer- 
tainty of knowledge concerning the right number, the 
gaining of beans, and watching the numerals called for, 
will so enthuse and arouse that strangeness and timidity 
will be forgotten. 

"Pastor's Reception" Card. 
The following card used at a reception to the new 
pastor of Christ Church of Denver is self-explanatory. 
It was used with a large company, and seemed to be 
effective. 

No. 247. 

Write your name and address here. 



108 



Melting People Into Friendliness 



Find, introduce yourself, and spend five min- 
utes with No. 248, whose nanie and address must 
be written in space below. 



Find Nos. 249 and 250, put names and addresses 
in two spaces below. No. 247 change with No. 249. 



Find Nos. 251 and 252, put names and addresses 
in the two spaces below. 



If any of the above names have been members of Christ Church 
less than one year mark New Member in space opposite name. I 
not a member, mark in same space, Visitor or Stranger. 



each one w 



:e it : 
itnin 

109 



ten days. 



Social Plans for Young People 

Unmarked Cut-Up Story. 

Cut up a good story and distribute it without any 
numbers, to show where the particular part comes. 
Every one must watch, and start to read whenever he 
thinks that his piece fits in. Of course, some one ought 
to have a copy of the original, so that any real mistake 
may be confidently detected. Every one will listen to 
such a story and will probably remember it, since the 
part held must be fitted into it. This is a good plan to 
pursue with a missionary incident. If it is feared that 
the crowd can not discover the different positions, the 
story may be clipped in different places and each one 
be numbered in order. This is not so likely to keep the 
individuals alert, nor open occasions for merriment. 

Manufacturing Flowers. 

Furnish every guest with three pieces of differently- 
colored tissue paper. If desired, provide a little stiff 
paste with the paper. Announce that, without scissors 
or knife, every one is to manufacture a tissue-paper 
flower. It will be interesting to discover that even with 
this crude material some will form realistic blossoms. 
Tag each flower with the name of the maker and put 
it on exhibition. Of course, interest is added if the 
best two or three receive some sort of a reward. 

Singing Popular Songs. 

We do not sing enough of the high-class popular 
pieces at our socials. Some of the songs are as old as 

110 



Melting People Into Friendliness 

"Down on the Suwanee River" and "Sweet Bunch of 
Daisies." Few people, however, know the words. 
Several large advertisers now print these songs for free 
distribution. Ever}- social committee should see to it 
that several dozen copies of these collections of popular 
songs are on hand. At the close of a social, or even at 
any time during its progress, encourage the young 
people to gather around the piano and sing together in 
a free and hearty way these popular songs. Much joy 
is thus created, and the frigid atmosphere caused by 
embarrassment and strangeness is banished. 



Ill 



CHAPTER V. 

Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 
in Socials. 

Purely silly socials are to be condemned. Fun must 
be abundant, but not alone. Purpose is also present. 
Worth, mind-furnishings, and information are recog- 
nized. Intelligence will always be encouraged and 
crowned. Latent talent can be drawn out. People of 
literary and even poetic ability will be discovered or 
can be led into higher usefulness. Alertness is never 
a characteristic of a sluggish brain. Games that require 
brightness put the sluggard into the corner. Indi- 
viduals can frequently be driven to search for various 
lines of knowledge by a revelation of their ignorance 
of common facts. People of mere "talk" will often be 
shown up in their true light. We may employ the 
ingenuity of the young people. Even business ability 
and executive gifts may be brought out, augmented, 
and brushed up by Church activities. Contests spur 
both the brain and ambition. Literary programs cost 
work and time, but their results are incalculable. Pa- 
triotism must be intelligent, but it does not reach its 
highest power until religion is added to its support. 

112 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

We can not be good citizens unless we know something 
about our country and its past and present leaders. 
Religion and the Church is related to everything. The 
best mental growth can not come from secluded study. 
Knowledge must be related to people. Happiness eases 
the strain upon us, and throws light upon truth. Social 
life* will give a close and an understanding touch with 
people. It will, if directed, glorify intelligence until 
its possession is valued and sought after. We must not 
make our socials too strongly mental or too weakly 
" funny." The two must be properly proportioned. 

Relating First Things. 
We need different methods that will command the 
contribution of many individuals. Suppose you give 
ten minutes' notice that each one will be asked to tell 
an instance about some "first thing he owned" or the 
"first thing he did." Let it be the first doll, the first 
sled, the first train ride, the first ring, the first watch, 
or the first love affair. Let them tell about the first 
money they made, the first job secured, the first school 
attended, the first book read, or the first trouble en- 
countered. It will readily be seen that vast resources 
open up here for fun and profit. Old memories are 
called up, and interesting incidents will be freely re- 
lated. Some droll wit may be discovered. 

Questions about Predicaments. 
Predicaments offer drill and test opportunities. Ask 
questions something like the following: "What would 

8 113 



Social Plans for Young People 

you do if a crowded church caught fire?" "What 
would you do if alone with one who had an artery 
cut?" "What would you do if in a strange town, 
without a cent?" "What would you do if a dear one 
was hungry and you had no money?" "How would 
you act in the presence of a distinguished official?" 
"What would you do if a man called you a 'liar?' ' 
A hundred different questions will come to mind. The 
answers will create laughable and striking situations. 
Before people know it they will enter into the dis- 
cussion. Moral issues will be taken up and settled. 
Short and valuable methods will pass into currency. 

Questions Answered by Numbers. 

Distribute to every person three or four numbers. 
Have a set of duplicate numbers on the table. Some 
one starts the game by saying, "Who is more ignorant 
than I?" The chief of the game, who himself has no 
number, reaches into a hat containing the duplicate set 
and lifts out a number. Suppose it is number 14, he 
calls it out, and the individual holding this number 
promptly answers: "I am." The connection creates 
the fun. It may be a school-teacher who answers to 
the question, "Who is more ignorant than I?" No. 14. 
now asks the question, for example, "Who is uglier 
than I?" The chief again lifts a number from the hat, 
and this time it is "5." He calls it out, and the person 
holding number "5" sa3 r s: "I am." It may be the 
handsomest man in the room. In this way each person 

114 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

gets to ask as many questions as he holds numbers, but 
only after answering some other question. This game 
compels every one to talk and to contribute to the sum 
total of the laughter. 

Letter Claimed with a Word. 

Prepare three of four sets of alphabets. Put them 
face downward on the middle of the table. The com- 
pany gathers around in a circle. The appointed person 
reaches for one of the letters, and before any of the 
company can see it, calls it out. Before he does this 
it is announced that the first one naming a bird begin- 
ning with the letter turned up will get that particular 
letter. Suppose the letter is "C," and Miss Jones 
quickly calls out ''Canary." The letter is handed to 
her. Another one is picked up, and the same plan is 
pursued. This time it is "P," and Mr. Smith calls 
out, "Parrot." The letter is handed to him. At the 
close see who has won the most letters. The plan can 
frequently be changed.' Start in with the birds, and 
then change to "the name of a Bible character,' 5 or 
"the name of some historical character," or "some vege- 
table," or "an animal." It will be seen that wide 
variety is possible. This game can also be turned into 
a "progressive game." Put six people at a table, and 
when all the letters are exhausted at one table, all the 
tables stop. The three people at each table who have 
the most letters, go forward, while the three who have 
the fewest, stay behind. If desired, people may be put 

115 



Social Plans for Young People 

into groups of partners, and count all their letters to- 
gether, so that the three who have the most letters will 
be the winners. 

One Word Suggesting Another. 

After every one of the company has received a paper 
and a pencil, suggest a word. Ask all to write down 
on the paper what this word suggests. Of course, the 
suggestion ought not to contain more than four words. 
Suppose the word announced is "Boston." One person 
writes down "culture." Another writes down "baked 
beans;" another, "Bunker Hill." Then ask them what 
they would do there. One says, "Visit Mt. Auburn." 
Another, "Find the Tea-Party spot." Another, "Buy 
a view-book." Then ask them what other city they 
would rather visit. One would declare, "New York." 
Another would say, "San Francisco," etc. In this way 
five or six questions might be asked. After all have 
written the replies, have them inscribe their names on 
the slips, and collect them. A leader then reads the 
replies, and the company undertakes to guess who the 
person is who wrote that particular set. It will be 
interesting to see the bent of mind followed by the 
various members of the company. 

"Head" to "Tail." 

A little catch game „can be employed by asking the 
company how many can change "head" to "tail" in' six 
moves. Give each a piece of paper and a pencil. Ask 

116 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

him to write "head." Now pull out the watch and 
count off five minutes, promptly calling them to time 
when it is up. Different methods will be employed. 
The correct method is as follows: "Head" equals 
"heal," equals "teal," equals "tell," equals "tall," 
equals "tail." It will be seen that each time a letter is 
changed so that in six moves the word "head" is 
changed to the word "tail." 

A Capital Letter Sentence. 

See who can make the longest sentence, using only 
capital letters and numerals; e. g., "I C U R MPT," 
or, "I C 3 BBB." When a person thinks he has 
finished his sentence he reads it aloud. If any one 
can add another numeral or letter to it, and so lengthen 
it, he takes it into his possession. He then reads it, 
and if no one else can add to it he retains it. Another 
then reads his sentence, and the same method is 
pursued. At the end each person counts the letters 
in the sentences in his possession, and the one having 
the most is the winner. Of course, a limited amount 
of time is given to prepare the sentence, and no words 
can be added (or, more properly speaking, letters) 
after the time is called. Neither can the sentence be 
protected by the owner after it is read. 

Same-Letter Sentences. 

Announce that every person is to prepare a sentence 
of which all the words must begin with the same letter. 

117 



Social Plans for Young People 

The letter can be designated or the individual may be 
permitted to select it, for example: "Four fat friars 
fanning nickering flames." 

Alphabet Trips. 

The circle decides to take a trip to alphabet town. 
The first one declares: "I am going to Albany?" Some 
one asks: "What for?" The next person replies: "Ask 
Anna for alms." Some one then says: "When are you 
going?" The third person replies: "After Anna's aunt 
arrives." This is kept up by question and answer as 
long as any one in the circle can add a sentence the 
words of which all begin with "a." Then the next 
person starts one with "b," and declares: "I am going 
to Boston." The next states the purpose by saying: 
"Buy bedding," and so on. 

Disarranged Words. 

Jumbled up cities afford much pleasure and profit. 
Take some well-known city and disarrange the letters 
so that the name can not be recognized. Every one will 
then set himself to the task of straightening them out. 
The same list may be given to all, or a different one 
may be given to each person ; e. g., Cincinnati — Tanni- 
cinic; Atchison — Sionchat; Kansas City — Yitsan ksac; 
Boston — Nobscot; La Junta — Ajanult. Scores of 
cities can easily be fixed up like this. It will test the 
brain as well as the knowledge of places. Here is a 
list of various words disarranged: 
118 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouragea 



Vehicles. 
Tobeclair — Cabriolet 
Isecah — Chaise 
Upeco — Coupe 
Wraycoka — Rockaway 
Nalobol— Balloon 
Yecclib — Bicycle 
Ledges — Sledge 
Gelish — Sleigh 
Avoritic — Victoria 
Reysur — Surrey 

Kitchen Utensils. 
Danship — Dishpan 
Ketills— Skillet 
Priped — Dipper 
Nager— Range 
Veies — Sieve 
Longliprin — Rolling pin 
Ragert — Grater 
Fleunn — Funnel 
Snoop — Spoon 
Helvos — Shovel 

Birds. 
Nyarca — Canary 
Keepcrowpod — Wood- 
pecker 
Loorie — Oriole 
Jaleybu — Blue jay 
Bribed— Redbird 
Wraspor — Sparrow 
Kichedace — Chickadee 
Shruth — Thrush 
Tranim — Martin 
Slowwal — Swallow 



Musical Instruments. 

Cranicood — Accordion 
Pigapeb — Bagpipe 
Lanciret — Clarinet 
Agoltflee — Flageolet 
Exashpano — Saxaphone 
Perttum — Trumpet 
Ihertz — Zither 
Noiliv — Violin 
Sclamby — Cymbals 
Uritag — Guitar 

Flowers. 

Naberve — Verbena 
Urmangie — Geranium 
Portiheelo — Heliotrope 
Nabigo — Begonia 
Purlsark — Larkspur 
Failfodd— Daffodil 
Chainthy — Hyacinth 
Garnisy — Syringa 
Stairwai — Wistaria 
Slicemat — Clematis 

Trees. 

Ramycoes — Sycamore. 
Purees — Spruce 
Chlar — Larch 
Pralop — Poplar 
Herrcy — Cherry 
Luntaw — Walnut 
Rychiko — Hickory 
Heceb — Beech 
Melkoch — Hemlock 
Plame — Maple 



119 



Social Plans for Young People 



Presidents. 

Digalerf — Garfield 
Overstole — Roosevelt 
Dellvance — Cleveland 
Frenjosef — Jefferson 
Songinwhat — Washington 
Sandomi — Madison 
Raishorn — Harrison 
Connill — Lincoln 
Cunnabah — Buchanan 
Cank j os — Jackson 



Animals. 

Dolarep — Leopard 
Celam — Camel 
Plethena — Elephant 
Farefig — Giraffe 
Haney — Hyena 
Hentrap — Panther 
Goonarka — Kangaroo 
Fabulof— Buffalo 
Polenate — Antelope 
Omeso — Moose 



Define a Rhyming Word. 

Choose a word, and tell them merely that it rhymes 
with a certain word; e. g., "coil" is the word. Tell 
them that it rhymes with "toil." The one answering 
does not say the word, but asks: "Is it that which 
makes a boy's face dirty?" The leader answers: "No, 
it is not soil." So it continues until some one answers 
something like the following: "Is it that which brings 
sweat to the brow?" This answer will, of course, be 
correct. It will readily be seen that this will make 
people work not merely to guess the word, but they 
will be compelled to give a good definition of it in the 
sentence which designates it. 

Amateur Rhyming by Company. 

Announce a rhyming contest. Have some one start 
it with a very simple line which will be easy to match. 
Any one in the room may then add anything, so that 

120 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

it is a full line and rhymes. All who succeed may be 
given a little slip of paper, to show that they have 
registered one point. They can not suggest another 
line then until all have had a trial. If no one else 
volunteers, a second line or a third may be added by 
the same person, and he be given due credit for it. 
After all have tried their hand, and there seems to be 
no more possible line, the lines are all collected and 
the whole poem is read in order. The different lines 
may then be thrown in a hat, and read as they come 
out, in miscellaneous order. Since they all end with 
the same rhyme tone, they can be read in any order 
and will often create much merriment ; e. g. : 

E. G. — The Leaguer stood on the League room floor. 
A bold bad boy stood in the door 
With a great white snowball in store. 
She cried, " Do not hit me, I implore." Etc. Etc. 

Trading Important Events. 

Here is a method that will help impress upon people 
the names of important events or prominent indi- 
viduals. For example: Prepare a list of twenty-five 
(or more) important events, with the dates. Each 
event must be on a separate piece of paper, and each 
individual receives slips containing the various events. 
At a given signal it is his business to begin trading 
the events with the other members of the company. He 
reads the event and date aloud, and offers it in trade 
to some one. The object of the trading is to see who 

121 



Social Plans for Young People 

will secure the most slips with the same event on them. 
For example: One who has the slip marked "Battle of 
Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775," will decide to trade 
off all his others, in the effort to secure the slips marked 
in this way. It may be necessary, at times, to trade 
two or three slips to get one. The trading will create 
a great deal of interest, and handling the subjects and 
dates will make them memorable to the individual. 
Instead of historical dates, a list of Bible characters 
may be used. Or the names of prominent missionaries 
may be employed. Or events in Church history may be 
selected. Or the characteristics of high-class Christians 
may be designated. All sorts of things will suggest 
themselves. 

Groups Naming Towns by Alphabet. 

Appoint leaders, who will divide the party into two 
groups. Many different, enlivening, and attractive 
games can then be played. People forget old games, 
and some even fail to hear of them. Try this ancient 
one. Announce that before the timekeeper counts ten, 
one of the sides must give the name of one of the State 
capitals of the country. Then the timekeeper turns to 
the other side and makes the same demand. No capital 
can be repeated. When a side fails, the other side 
chooses one from its group. Each member helps, and 
tells the leader the name of some capital. This is kept 
up until neither side can name any more. In the same 
way expect each side, in order, to name some city be- 

122 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

ginning with "A." When this is exhausted, take up 
"B" in the same way. Continue until all the alphabet 
has been employed. Whenever a side misses, it will 
lose a member. In the same way different things may 
be tried; e. g., "the products of the mine," "the tools 
used by a farmer," "characters named in the Bible," 
"the streets of the city," "the officers of the United 
States," etc. 

Spy and Representatives. 

Spy is a good game to rest a crowd and to interest 
all when there are a number in attendance. It can be 
played in many ways. Put two groups into two dif- 
ferent rooms; each selects a representative, who is to 
go before the opposite group. These representatives 
meet, and choose something for the groups to guess. 
Suppose they select a trade. The groups are to find 
out what this is by asking questions which the repre- 
sentative must answer by relating something one fol- 
lowing that trade does. The first representative who is 
cornered so that the company guesses the designated 
thing correctly, causes the group he represents to lose 
one of its members. This same plan may be employed 
to test the knowledge of people about missions. Let 
the "representatives" decide on a missionary they are 
to represent and for whom they are to answer all ques- 
tions by a "yes" or "no." The group first guessing 
will then choose from the other side. A great variety 
of subjects can be treated in this way. Information 

123 



Social Plans for Young People 

and brightness will be tested and encouraged. Treat 
the names of statesmen, Church-history makers, great 
reformers, towering musicians, and local celebrities in 
the same way. The tools or facts of different profes- 
sions or trades may also be taken up. 

Self-Assigned Words Spelled. 

Have a spelling-match, in which each person gives 
himself his own word. He must announce a word that 
has not been used before and that begins with the last 
letter of the one spelled just before. There is no one 
to correct where a word is spelled incorrectly. The 
next person that tries must watch this. If he passes an 
incorrectly-spelled word, any one below who recog- 
nizes it may correctly spell it, and then he moves ahead 
of the rest that missed it; e. g., the first person spells 
"kitchen," the next one must announce a word begin- 
ning with "n." Suppose he announces "niggardly" 
and spells it "nigardly," the person next to him will 
have a right to correctly spell it. If he fails, any one 
down the line may do so in this turn. 

Spelling-Down Variations. 

Use words in various ways. Start one, and compel 
every one to add a letter until this is impossible for all 
in the circle. If one fails, the next one gets a chance, 
and so on until some one succeeds in adding another 
letter, then he goes ahead of all that missed, as in the 
old spelling-class. Announce that every one must spell 

124 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

a word that, when spelled backward, will also make a 
word. Use the plan above, permitting the one who 
succeeds in giving the word, to go above the others who 
failed. He is a list of words that* form a word 
when reversed : Star, was, laid, stops, not, stab, live, 
step, war, Ned, tide, pan, Hannah, spot, room, ten, 
reed, stew, rat, yard, pins, straw, parts, peep. 
Try the same plan of spelling down, but have a 
''monitor" to give out words to spell which must always 
be spelled backward. This will create fun and compel 
one to keep all his wits about him. Start a word, and 
let each person in order add a letter; e. g., ''back-ache," 
the first person says, "b;" the second adds "a;" the 
third, "c;" and so on until the word is completed. 
This game will develop the power of close attention. 
The one giving the wrong letter is to be supplanted 
by the one below who gives the right one. Have the 
first person spell a word, and expect the second to give 
its meaning. Or, instead of this, he might make a sen- 
tence in which the word is used. Give out a word and 
expect each one, in regular order, to give a common 
word; or, still more difficult, require a proper name, 
beginning with the letters of the word in succession; 
e. g., "back-ache," the first may say, "Bennie;" the 
second gives "Archie," etc. If the common word is 
used, then one says, "black ;" the next, "acquired ;" the 
next, "cowslip," etc. It is not easy to keep the letter 
in mind and also to think quickly of a word beginning 
with that letter. 

125 



Social Plans for Young People 



Sentences to Test in Pronouncing. 

Here is a plan employed by the iloseland Presby- 
terian Church, of Chicago. Ten ordinary sentences 
were clearly written on as many pieces of paper. Ten 
bright young people were appointed and brought to the 
front. Each person took a sealed envelope, in which 
had been placed one of these sentences. It was then the 
part of these young people to come before the audience 
and to read the sentences without mispronouncing a 
word in them. A competent person or two kept track 
of the mistakes made by each person. These mistakes 
could be noted right after the person read or they could 
be reported when all had finished reading. Zest might 
be added if the one who made the fewest mistakes 
should be declared to be the best reader. If thought 
best, 'the ten young people might be divided into two 
sides, and a tally kept to see which side made the 
most mistakes. Interest might be increased if each per- 
son was requested to commit to memory the sentences 
given him. Here are the ten sentences which the 
Roseland Church used: i. The cement failed to cement 
the apparatus, but the damage is still reparable. 2. The 
allopathist in full dress, riding in his carriage, was 
awarded precedence over the hydropathist, who, dressed 
in a blue blouse, was compelled to walk. 3. The 
truths of science, like all other truths, are indisputable. 
4. The youths of the village propose to get up an ex- 
cursion to the woods, and then go into camp, with one 

126 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

of their number as commandant. 5. The contestants 
showed their usual combativeness, engaging in un- 
seemly altercations. 6. The literati seem to be long- 
lived, and to enjoy themselves the livelong day, but 
have no sympathy with the blustering bravo, who is 
continually bawling out, "Bravo!" 7. It was a scene 
worth being seen to see the boys catching fish with 
their seine. 8. A laundry has been started by a man 
of cleanly habits, who may be expected to do cleanly 
whatever he does. It is strange that he should permit 
his family to live in squalor. 9. Some who think them- 
selves orthoepists deem it obligatory on them to indulge 
in labored pronunciation. 10. This statement of the 
equation won't satisfy the conditions. 

Choosing the Best Conversationalist. 

Progressive conversation can be carried on in many 
ways. Place the chairs in pairs, facing each other, or 
else place them against each other, so that one faces in 
one direction and the other in the other direction. 
Form them in a circle so that there is about three feet 
between each pair. When you are ready to start, a 
lady sits in one and a gentleman in the other chair. 
It is announced that every one is to talk "Chicago," or 
about the "governor," or about "John Wesley." Two 
minutes are given for this conversation. Time is called, 
and each gentleman then moves forward and continues 
to do so until he gets entirely around the circle. He 
immediately begins conversation on the same subject 

127 



Social Plans for Young People 

with the next lady. After three such changes a new 
subject can be announced, if it is not desired to use the 
same subject around the whole circle. The ladies hold 
pencil and paper, and put down some sort of notes. 
The gentleman announces his name as soon as he is 
seated, and the lady writes it down on her card and 
puts the notes after it. After the men have been clear 
around the circle, the women study their notes, and 
each one writes down the name of the man she thinks 
is the most entertaining or the most instructive conver- 
sationalist. The ballots are collected, and the names 
of the three highest are announced. The same plan can 
be employed for the ladies. The gentlemen will then 
sit still, and take notes and ballot for the best conver- 
sationalist. Some companies of young people have ar- 
ranged numbered cards, with topics after each, and the 
young men are directed to seek the young lady whose 
name he can write as his companion for conversation 
upon each specified subject. If such "conversatione" is 
held in the spring, ''flowers" of various sorts, or "the 
delights of the season," or "the plans of the summer," 
may be employed for discussion. If it occurs near a 
political contest, it might not be amiss to discuss the 
merits of the different candidates. If it is after a 
series of sermons, by the pastor, on the "benevolences," 
the company could discuss the claims of these interests. 
In the same way such subjects as the "value of mission 
study," "the helpfulness of a Bible class," an "at- 

128 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

tractive social," "an interesting devotional meeting," 
etc., may be taken up. 

Dreams and Sleep. 

Any sort of name might be given to the following 
evening entertainments. A striking name often makes 
a thing magnetic. This plan is called a "Moon Social." 
Decorate in pale blue, and arrange for the lights to be 
dim. Bunting might be draped over them if they are" 
electric bulbs. Have a scientist tell the last theory 
about the construction, composition, and conditions of 
the moon. Have some one else gather up all the old 
fables and stones about it. Let another person bring 
in several poems that deal with the moon. These might 
be distributed by verse or by line among the people. 
Some plan could then be empWed to cluster them in 
the proper order and to have each person repeat his 
part. Request a number to tell the most vivid dreams 
they can remember. It might be well to appoint people 
to this task early enough for them to write them out. 
It will then be easy to slip into the subject of sleep. 
Have an expert describe the causes of insomnia, and 
emphasize how necessary sleep is to health. This may 
result in early hours or in careful eating for some of 
the young people. It also opens a way to warn against 
the use of drugs to induce sleep. A good debate could 
be brought in on the subject, "Resolved, That the 
dreamer has accomplished more than the doer." Ap- 

9 129 



Social Plans for Young People 

propriate moon-shaped "favors," containing a poem or 
epigrammatical sentiment, should be given to every 
attendant. 

Incidents Around the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. 

It will be extremely interesting to spend an evening 
with the signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
One paper might deal with the events that led up to 
the gathering of these men in the Continental Congress. 
Another would collect incidents that occurred during 
the consideration of the Declaration; e. g., the sessions 
were opened with prayer. The original petition might 
be read. It is an interesting document. (Look it up.) 
Relate John Hancock's earnestness in declaring that 
they must all hang together, and Franklin's quick re- 
tort, that they would all hang singly if they did not 
hang together. Have a brief biography of each of the 
men read. Distribute quotations from them, to be 
recited. Trace their subsequent history and deeds, rec- 
ognizing their great value to the country. Show a 
picture of the old cracked bell that still stands in the 
"Liberty" Hall. Have some one who has visited the 
building in which the paper was signed, describe it 
and the room where they met. A small and inexpensive 
picture of this building might be given as a souvenir 
of the social. 

130 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 



Lessons from Living Men. 

We do not need to wait until great, good men of 
praiseworthy deeds die before we draw lessons from 
their careers. This is too general a habit. Abuse of 
William McKinley was common and violent a day or 
two before he was struck down. Immediately papers 
and speakers vied with each other in circulating highest 
laudations. How much better it would have been if a 
few of these things had been said before. President 
Roosevelt has had a remarkable career. A profitable 
evening could be spent in the study of his life. Recall 
his declaration that he had gone into politics to show 
that a man could keep clean and yet succeed. Trace 
his religious life, and read some of his lay sermons. 
Scatter around a few quotations to be read. Give a 
brief review of the men who have served in the 
Cabinet with him, and note how many of them have 
been Christians. Spice and originality would be in- 
jected by asking each one to write on a bit of paper 
what he thinks Roosevelt will do when he leaves the 
Presidency. The same plan could be employed in 
getting all to write predictions as to who will succeed 
him. No Christian company need be afraid to take up 
a study of W. J. Bryan in the same way. He has 
manifested some remarkable traits in the face of defeat 
that are seldom found in men. He has been a clean- 
handed, strong-voiced disciple of Christ. There are 

131 



Social Plans for Young People 



always local men of strength and character who can be 
studied in the same way. Collect from several people 
in different walks of life their opinion of the person 
under consideration, and also from others an explana- 
tion of his success. Such a list of opinions would be 
full of value. 

Natives and National Songs. 

A related program deals with the patriotic songs. In 
America a good many of them could be given by 
former natives of the different countries. Have some 
one relate a history of the German national hymn, and 
then have it rendered by a German, dressed in a typical 
holiday, native costume. Do the same with the Irish, 
the Italian, the Swiss, the Swedish, the Russian, and so 
on through the list. During the same program it 
would be interesting to have a brief history of each 
country and an account of its religious history, its 
present form of worship, and state of piety. This may 
afford an opportunity to defend the policy of the 
Church in placing missions in many European coun- 
tries. Other features will suggest themselves. 

Rulers and Governments. 

Few people know about the names of rulers and the 
forms of government that exist in other lands. Have 
a series of papers describing the origin of the titles 
"Khedive," "Sultan," "Mikado," "Emperor," "King," 
and "President." Another paper can give the different 

132 



Intelligence Recognized and Encouraged 

forms of governments existent. Another can give the 
methods of election and the powers of the elected. 
Another can describe the power of born royalty and 
explain the doctrine of the "divine" rights of kings, etc. 
At the same time the fact and power of the class-spirit, 
and resultant conditions, can be dwelt upon. They 
eveh exist in enlightened and related England. One 
paper might also compare the poverty conditions of 
other countries with those in America. Such a pro- 
gram will pave the way for a fine patriotic service. 



133 



CHAPTER VI. 

Stimulating Educational Development 
in the Socials. 

The wide and thorough reader secures a valuable 
education. Moments, which otherwise might be 
wasted, thus employed will bring rich returns. Long- 
fellow translated the "Inferno" by taking a few mo- 
ments a day, through a long period, while waiting for 
his coffee. Darwin constructed his great books out 
of slips of paper written at odd moments of the day. 
A real desire for reading will find some method of 
satisfaction. If we can give foretastes of books, they 
will be read. People read trash because not properly 
directed. Good lists of books will command their 
attention. Promises help to keep folks up to their best. 
Reading-circles have done great good. Even socials 
may so vitalize a book that it will draw readers. 
Newspapers are often the people's educators. Whole 
communities are dominated by one paper. The Atchi- 
son Globe, edited by E. W. Howe, and The Emporia 
Gazette, under William Allen White, illustrate this 
fact. Young people should understand the influence 

134 



Stimulating Educational Development 

and make-up of "dailies." They may do untold good 
for the Kingdom by finding a niche in the great news- 
paper field. 

We ought to know about the life struggles and 
school preparations of great men. Early learn to ex- 
press intelligent opinions about literary leaders. Culti- 
vate the habit of extemporaneous speaking. Study to 
put thought into apt and comprehended words. Know 
nature in a close way. Bring all things to bear in the 
effort to get young people to obtain the best possible 
education. Keep the pathway clear and prominent 
that leads to some Christian college. Mind develop- 
ment insures capable and well-balanced disciples, when 
encouraged and colored by the Church. 

Collecting Lists of Valuable Books. 

Young people ought to read, but they may both 
poison their minds and waste their time by reading the 
wrong things. An alert committee will, by some 
means or other, provide a list of interesting and yet 
safe and instructive books so that searchers may easily 
get at it. If the expense is not too great, print such 
a list and distribute it. 

If this is impossible, post it in a conspicuous place 
in the regular meeting-room. Prepare the lists by 
using one or more of the many methods that are re- 
liable. Ask every member to hand in the names of 
three enjoyable and profitable books. Write letters to 
six or seven up-to-date pastors, requesting them to name 

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Social Plans for Young People 

two recent books of fiction and one of biography. Ask 
a few college presidents to send the names of five good 
books. Correspond with the local high-school princi- 
pal, and with a number of the finest spirited teachers, 
and get their suggestions. Appoint a sane and spiritual 
committee to sift out the list until books assuredly de- 
sirable alone remain. Add to the list steadily, so that, 
if any have completely exhausted it, new books will be 
within their reach. 

Best Books of the Generation. 

Ask every one in the Church to help make a list of 
the best books of their generation. Request all to write 
the names of the best two or three books they have 
ever read. Get them to add the reason. Some will 
suggest books that the younger people do not know 
about. If several mention the same volume, then ar- 
range to have another person briefly give an idea of 
its contents. Have an exhibition of old volumes of all 
sorts. Offer some sort of reward for the oldest or the 
most unique. Compare the present form and binding 
of books with old ones. Some one may be found who 
could tell how they were made. At the same time the 
former and present price of books could be exhibited. 
It is unwise either to decide that the old books are 
alone good or that only the new ones are worthy of 
reading. Things both new and old are worth atten- 
tion. 



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Stimulating Educational Development 



Three Reviews of One Book. 

Assign a book to be read by three or four people at 
the same time. The first one may be a strong and 
helpful piece of fiction. "Place and Power," by Ellen 
Thornecroft Fowler, will do. At a given time request 
each one to read a review of the book, together with an 
estimate of its helpfulness or weakness. It will be 
interesting to see how the same book impresses different 
minds. New facts will be brought out by each one, 
and skill or clumsiness will be displayed in the work. 
Later the same plan can be employed to take up £ book 
of biography; e. g., Winchester's "John Wesley," or 
even an historical book. After the reviews have been 
read, ask any one who has read the book to add any- 
thing that impressed him, or to give an added estimate. 

A One-Author Study. 

Study one author during a whole evening. Nearly 
all have written more than one book. Choose three of 
the best. There will hardly be time for more. Ask 
one person to give a biographical sketch. Assign to 
another the task of studying traits of language and 
peculiarities of idioms. Assign to another the difficult 
task of describing the moral result of the author's work. 
If he has written any poems, have one or two of them 
recited. Arrange for a number of the author's char- 
acters to be reproduced by people wearing suitable cos- 
tumes. It might be well to have the individual review- 

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Social Plans for Young People 

ing a particular book represent the hero or heroine by 
his own dress. It would be well if we could create an 
interest in the works of some men which are now 
neglected. 

A Book-Taster's Suggestions. 

If the young people's organization has a regular 
monthly social, it ought always to have some sort of a 
literary feature. If there is a particularly gifted person 
in the membership, for three months give him one-half 
hour at each social. At the first social arrange for him 
to briefly mention four or five of the best books of 
recent fiction. At the next meeting ask him to call 
attention to eight or ten of the best recent magazine 
articles. At the third meeting announce that he will 
name the finest biographical books issued in the last 
year. 

Reading-Pledge and Circles. 

All sorts of plans have been suggested to insure good 
reading among young people. A few reading groups 
like the Bay View Reading Circle, with headquarters 
at Detroit, Michigan, have been very successful. The 
Chautauqua reading course has done untold good. 
The world is tremendously indebted to Bishop John H. 
Vincent for his leadership in this work. Many young 
people's organizations have provided a set of books to 
be read. These have often been bought and put away 
on shelves to be left unused. Where a more involved 
plan is impossible it would at least be feasible to prepare 

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Stimulating Educational Development 

a reading-pledge. Let it stipulate that one good book 
shall be read every month. Or it may confine the work 
to the number of moments to be employed in good read- 
ing each day. Many will sign such a pledge, and if 
by a reminder-postal card and report blank it is kept 
vivid, they will keep it. This will bring at least 
limited results. Folk will be settled at reading who 
would otherwise neglect it. When such a pledge is 
used, at least once a quarter, those who sign the pledge 
should be given the opportunity to relate some of the 
good things they have read. People will work when 
the material they gather can be definitely used, when 
otherwise they would busy themselves at something less 
important. 

Reader's Report. 

Call on a number of members to tell what unusually 
good books they have recently read. Or each one might 
refer to a valued magazine article. Or some particular 
volume of a set, or a chapter in a book, might be indi- 
cated as peculiarly appropriate or meaty. 

Flesh-and-Blood Library. 

Plan for a flesh-and-blood library. This method has 
been much used, but may have slipped the attention of 
some who see this paragraph. Assign twenty books to 
ten young ladies and ten young men. Request them to 
thoroughly post themselves about the contents and 
characters in the particular books assigned. On the 

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Social Plans for Young People 

appointed evening each one comes dressed to represent 
the book given into his hands. The twenty people are 
arranged on chairs, and numbered. A catalogue is 
circulated among the other people who attend; e. g., 
"John Halifax" is catalogued as "Number 5." The 
titles which plainly designate men are assigned to the 
ten men, while the titles which plainly designate women 
are assigned to the ten ladies. Some lady decides she 
would like to read "John Halifax." She marks "5" on 
the card, and goes up to the librarian, pays two cents, 
and the young man representing "John Halifax" is de- 
livered to her. They select two chairs facing each 
other. He tells her all he can about that particular 
book. He ought to make it so interesting that she will 
want to read it. At the end of three minutes she must 
take "him" back and put "him" on the shelf. A young 
gentleman notices that "Lorna Doone" is tabulated as 
"Number 9." He writes this number on his card, and 
goes to the librarian, pays two cents, and the young 
lady representing "Lorna Doone" is delivered to him. 
Selecting chairs, these two are seated, and she tells him 
all she can about "Lorna Doone" in three minutes. If 
the company is unusually large, more flesh-bound books 
must be provided. This, it will be seen, will arrange 
for a company of forty. Such a program, of course, 
can not usually be carried out by a miscellaneous com- 
pany. Some programs fit themselves to a select circle. 
This plan has splendid possibilities in it. It drives 
twenty people to thoroughly digest and master twenty 

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Stimulating Educational Development 

books. It leads fully as many more to get a taste of 
a good book which may lead them to read it. The rep- 
resentative should not give the whole story, but just 
retail enough of it to arouse a curious interest in it, 
so that the hearer will be led to get the book, to find 
out how it all ends. 

Book- Making Illustrated. 

A Denver club recently held a meeting in Evans' 
Chapel and carried out a procedure that is suggestive. 
An experienced bookmaker appeared before them, to de- 
scribe in detail how books were made. He had a small 
binding apparatus with him, and illustrated the method 
employed in fastening the leaves together. He also tore 
to pieces a cheap book, and then folded back a good one, 
to show them where the work and material was put, to 
cause the difference in cost. He explained in detail 
how the cover was finished and the edges were mottled. 
He also made evident to them the care required to print 
clearly and exactly every book. It suggests an inter- 
esting and instructive feature for a program. 

Newspaper History and Make-Up. 

Few people realize the influence and possibilities of 
the daily newspaper. It is easy to condemn it for sen- 
sationalism, narrowness, or paucity of news. If the 
Church would have closer associations with newspaper 
workers, the tone of all local periodicals would be ele- 
vated. People might be led to realize this fact by a 

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Social Plans for Young People 

newspaper program. An essay tracing the growth of 
news sheets is intensely interesting. The first one was 
written by hand, and loaned from door to door at so 
much per hour. Franklin's press made wider circu- 
lation possible. Recent methods of journalism were 
started in our own day by Joseph Pulitzer. William 
R. Hearst led the way for the extreme type of the so- 
called sensational paper. It would be interesting to 
study the biographies of either one or both of these 
men. They are prominent in their particular fields 
and have had remarkable careers. The first came to 
America as a poor foreigner. The latter was born 
with a silver spoon in his mouth, but was not willing 
to rest in idleness. Ask a prominent newspaper man to 
relate incidents that will illustrate problems they are 
compelled to meet. Appoint a local member who is 
alert and gifted, to describe the "make-up" of a paper. 
Assign some one else the task of preparing the history 
of the local news-scatterer. Some one else could em- 
phasize the distinction between several of the great 
papers of the country. If, besides, a local interest is 
to be added, it might be well to arrange for the com- 
pilation of an old-fashioned "school" paper. Editors 
are appointed for the different departments, who collect 
material from the local members. A bright scribe com- 
poses pertinent personals, mostly fictitious. Another 
prepares advertisements under the names of people to 
be present, and arranged together as fictitious firms 
carrying different lines. Many in every community 

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Stimulating Educational Development 

have had experience with this sort of original news- 
sheet. It might be well to send a special invitation to 
all who work on newspapers, and give them some mark 
of recognition that will make the reception specially 
enjoyable. They can be put into a reception line, or 
each one can be asked to give some sort of an expe- 
rience, or they can merely be marked with a specially 
designed badge. It might not be out of order to permit 
every one to costume in some way appropriate to news- 
paper life. If the program is made important and 
valuable, and it' is desired to clear money out of it, 
"human" advertising can be employed. This is done 
by soliciting firms to pay from two to five dollars 
apiece to have a member dress and speak to represent 
them. A hardware firm, for example, will arrange for 
a young lady to sew on her dress: "Bolts, washers, tin 
pans, garden seed," etc. A clothing store will deck out 
a good-looking young man, extravagantly, with the 
finest things they carry, and put a large sign on him 
noting the fact that he represents what is possible for 
them to do. If a dozen firms can be secured to thus 
advertise themselves, much real fun will be gained out 
of it, as weH as many dollars secured. 

Democratic and Republican Daily Paper. 

Appoint two energetic and intelligent leaders. Ar- 
range for them to choose a staff of five or eight assist- 
ants. It will be well to have them choose in order, lest 
one get all the capable persons. Announce that each 

143 



Social Plans for Young People 

leader, with his assistants, will present a daily paper 
at a specified date. One is designated as The Repub- 
lican, the other as The Democrat. Give each absolute 
liberty in deciding how the typical daily paper is to be 
presented. The manager and the staff must decide this 
for themselves. If, however, his paper is democratic 
in politics, he must conscientiously and energetically 
advocate that side. He can make the paper either 
serious or ludicrous. On the stated evening competent 
judges are present to decide which of the two papers is 
the best. Each paper may be read by the manager or 
his assistants, all at one time. Or the editorials from 
each may be read, and then the news from each, and 
"so on. It will probably be more interesting and more 
satisfactory to have each paper read completely at one 
time. 

Prominent Men Studied. 

Church attractors can learn from newspaper articles. 
People are eager to be informed about prominent folk. 
Give an evening to different sets of well-known people. 
For example, one evening have a number of biographies 
dealing with prominent business men. Ask one person 
to write a paper on "John Wanamaker," another on 
"John Pierpont Morgan," another on "John D. Rocke- 
feller," another on "T. W. Lawson." On another 
evening take up great office holders or politicians. One 
essay will deal with W. J. Bryan, another with Theo- 
dore Roosevelt, another with "Mark" Hanna, another 

144 



Stimulating Educational Development 

with "Tom" Johnson, and another with "Joe" Folk. 
Another evening take up the great inventors. One 
paper will depict "Telephone" Bell; another will tell 
about "Magician" Edison; another, "Wireless" Mar- 
coni; while some one else will take up "Wizard" Bur- 
bank. Folk want to learn about men of their own day 
who are doing noteworthy things. Newspapers write 
stories about towering local personages as well as about 
individuals who push above the throng in the country. 
Valuable lessons will be learned from the lives of these 
men, who fought their way to the top in spite of crip- 
pling hindrances and towering obstacles. For example, 
it will be remembered that Theodore Roosevelt was an 
invalid during his whole boyhood. Andrew Carnegie 
got his interest in libraries through being privileged to 
read the private collection of a wealthy man during his 
early life. We might not approve the men whose lives 
are studied, but their mistakes can be pointed out as 
clearly and positively as their successes. 

Biographical Sub-Divisions. 

Divide a biography into periods, so that every one 
may have a different section of a celebrated life to 
look up in several authorities. Luther, e. g., will thus 
afford a field for a drawing-out and building-up study. 
Let one take his childhood, another his school days, an- 
other his spiritual struggles up to his break with Rome, 
another his home life, another "the student and 
preacher," and still another his friends and their in- 

w 145 



Social Plans for Young People 

fluence, and another his last days. This will afford 
opportunity for wide and independent study, and will 
give a fine view of his life. This may run into two 
programs, if desired. Dr. Rishell, of Boston Uni- 
versity, pursued this method in his theological classes 
with the students, and it proved very valuable. 

Voting Members to a Hall of Fame. 

Create a local "hall of fame." Much interest was 
aroused when a New York university undertook to 
select names for its honor niches. Every Church can 
have some sort of a contest that will attract local atten- 
tion. Announce that on a certain evening the audience 
will be invited to select five authors, to be posted later 
in the Church, as the best. State also that any one 
notifying the committee one week in advance will be 
allowed five minutes (or longer, if it is thought best) 
to give reasons why his champion should be so selected. 
The committee must see to it that the plan does not 
fall flat. If applications do not come in abundantly, 
appoint people to champion certain authors. After the 
different cases have been presented, give time to allow 
any one in the audience two or three minutes to add an- 
other point in favor of any one presented, or even to 
present a new candidate. This plan will lead some 
folks to read biographies, and will interest others in 
good literature which has been neglected because its 
value has not been appreciated. When the author is 
elected by an intelligent company to a local "hall of 

146 



Stimulating Educational Development 

fame," the values of his productions will rise. In the 
same way choose the best five recent books. Or desig- 
nate the finest summer resort, or method of spending 
a vacation. Or create a "hall of fame" for the best 
book of the Bible, the best character in it, or the best 
commentary on it. Almost any subject may be taken 
up in this way. The testing of ability insured by this 
plan will arouse every one to do his best and will 
attract attention. 

Celebrated Faces to be Identified. 

Clip a number of pictures of celebrated people from 
papers and magazines. Place them in a hat, with faces 
downward. At a given signal have each one of the 
company take out one of these pictures. All then get 
quiet for five minutes, while each person endeavors to 
think up facts about his prominent person to relate to 
the company when the time is called. It is difficult 
for many people to recognize a face and fix a name 
to it. It might be well to print the name under each 
face. Number all of the pictures, and mix them up so 
that they do not come in order. At the end of the 
designated period Number "i" must stand up, and, if 
the name is not written upon the picture, he must first 
tell who it is, and then relate all he knows about him. 
This will create merriment, since people will be 
wrongly identified either in name or in deed. It will 
also give opportunity for displaying either information 
or ignorance. 

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Social Plans for Young People 

Valuable Appointed and General Debates. 

We can never get away from the profit of an old- 
fashioned debate. Americans enjoy argument. People 
of little apparent ability surprise us when assigned to 
defend or attack some common proposition. The 
debate may be formal and take up but a small section 
of the evening. Two will then be appointed for each 
side. It may also be open for general discussion. If 
this is permitted, a careful chairman is necessary. He 
will allow one speaker two minutes for the affirmative, 
and then the next speaker must be on the negative side, 
before an affirmative advocate is recognized. Regular 
judges are appointed. Fun is lacking if a decision is 
not sought for. Vital local problems may thus be 
taken up. Even Church doctrines, thus discussed, will 
open enriching truths. Frequently a funny proposition 
will bring in heart-strengthening joy. A common me- 
chanic will often discover in this way that he has gifts 
for the law or ministry. We never know what we can 
do until we try. Temper is tested also, for it is diffi- 
cult to stand against opposition or be defeated and not 
rile up. Individuals are led to seek exact information 
and to put it into the smallest compass. Most of us 
simply gather things under the spur of necessity. 

Common Words Defined. 

Test the company in giving definitions of commonly- 
used words or those which must necessarily have a 

148 



Stimulating Educational Development 


personal meaning to individuals. For example, ask 
every one to write in ten words, or fewer, the definition 
of a friend. It will test many to do it. It will 
reveal the methods others employ in examining folk. 
Gather these definitions and read them. Either request 
the company to choose the best or appoint judges to 
do so. In the same way define such words as "cat," 
"anger," "gold," "money," "west," "church," "water," 
"love," etc. 

Identifying Fall-Leaves. 

In the fall of the year gather as many leaves of 
various kinds as possible. Suppose twelve entirely dif- 
ferent ones have thus been brought together. Place 
them in order and pass them to the company, giving 
each not more than a minute in which to identify one 
leaf and write his identification on a card. He will, 
of course, write the name after the number of the one 
on which he is working. Pass the whole set along, 
and see who rightly names the most. 

Prize for the Poorest Examination Paper. 

Socials are valueless unless along with enjoyment 
they furnish information. Here is a plan that com- 
mands interest and energy, while it, at the same time, 
plants information. Prepare a simple list of examina- 
tion questions dealing either with Church history, secu- 
lar history, or biblical history. Ten will probably be 
enough questions to ask. Have as many lists as there 

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Social Plans for Young People 

are young people present. Of course, if there are some 
who will not enter into it, this will soon reveal itself, 
and they should not be given a list. Number the list 
as it is given out, and put the name of the person who 
receives a particular number on a slip of paper instead 
of having him write his name on the list. In this way 
no one need know whether he has his own list or that 
of some one else. Now exchange the lists a number of 
times, and when it is evident that no one knows whose 
list he has, start the company at work answering the 
questions. Announce that the paper which has the 
mistakes on it will get the prize. Every one has 
another's paper, and they do not want him to get the 
prize, and so they will use all care to answer the ques- 
tions correctly. It may be allowable to ask others for 
information. This will compel him finally to use his 
own judgment. Different people will have different 
answers, and when he receives these answers he must 
decide which is the best one. Unless he endeavors to 
get the right answer, the paper he is filling up may get 
the prize. This eager interest will pin facts in his 
mind so that he will not forget the replies he writes. 
Of course, every one can write his own name on the 
paper before exchanging it, if it appears to involve too 
much trouble to use the number plan. This, however, 
does not insure as great fairness as the other method. 
A close friend may hold some one's paper and be eager 
to insure him the prize. Spurred by this desire, as 
many mistakes as possible will be made. If a fellow 

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Stimulating Educational Development 

gets his best girl's paper, he is sure to favor her. But 
when by no method whatsoever any one can discover 
the ownership of the paper he is working on, he will 
be sure to do his best to see that that paper does not 
get the prize. 

Lists of Lecturers. 

Some District organizations have been very helpful 
to local societies by preparing a list of the lectures 
which the near-by ministers can and will deliver, to- 
gether with their charges. This is printed, and mailed 
to all the organizations, so that they can correspond 
directly. Sometimes a few testimonials are enclosed 
for each lecture, as well as an explanation or descrip- 
tion of the lecture from the one who gives it. Such a 
District committee could arrange with a Lyceum 
Bureau, or with a distant lecturer or entertainment 
committee, and with the different local groups of young 
people, so that time and expense could be saved by 
sending entertainers to a number of places in a series. 

Attracting Business College Students. 

The business college has come to stay and is attract- 
ing large numbers. The Church must hold and help 
the young men who come to these institutions from the 
country and small towns. All sorts of receptions are 
planned for other people ; why not include them in the 
list? At the opening of a term, plan a special program 
that will interest them; send special personal invita- 
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Social Plans for Young People 

tions ; make them the guests of honor. Invite a success- 
ful business man to define the qualifications of the 
sought-for employee. Have some one else plant hope 
and cheer by gathering incidents of poor boys who have 
succeeded notably. If possible, gather the names of all 
the students as they come in at the door. Select a tact- 
ful and consecrated committee, who will distribute 
among themselves these names and, if possible, that 
evening meet personally all whose names he holds, and 
find out the Church affiliation of each one. If not a 
member of your denomination, notify the Church with 
which the student does affiliate. If impossible to get in 
touch with the whole list of students that evening, 
look them up early at their boarding places. Plan some 
appropriate games, and give them not only a speech- 
making time, but the j oiliest possible evening, so that 
they will always think of the Church in connection 
with their joys. 

Old-Tim e School Days. 

An old-fashioned country school may sweeten with 
laughter and gladden by arousing our memories. It 
is not within my province to give minute details. One 
general suggestion will quicken many specific ones. 
Gather a few old-fashioned reading books, such as were 
used when the adults were children. In the "reading 
class" these simple selections are read just as though 
it was being done by the original children. In the 
spelling match insist on every one spelling backward, 

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Stimulating Educational Development 

for example, "catch=hctac." Choose sides, and ask one 
side to give the name of a river beginning with "A." 
Then ask the other side to give the name of another 
river beginning with the same letter. If it fails, ask 
the other side again, and if it succeeds it is their privi- 
lege to choose one from the second side. A Friday 
evening program of recitations, dialogues and songs 
may be introduced. At noon the bell rings, the school 
is dismissed, and every one gets his lunch out, as the 
refreshments for the evening. Some genuine tests for 
information will now be announced, for example, ques- 
tions about the capitals of the States, or real problems 
in arithmetic, or difficult words to spell correctly. This 
sort of a test frequently puts people on their mettle and 
makes careless people profitably ashamed. It also 
makes it possible to discover promising material. 

Christian College Encouraged. 

Arrange a "college evening" at an appropriate time, 
to encourage prospective students to attend. Decorate 
with all the college emblems that can be secured. Few 
people recognize the different ones, so that it will be well 
to pin on them a paper identifying each one. Arrange 
for the oldest college graduate to tell about the games 
and customs of his college days. Follow this up by a 
speech from some college president or professor, who 
will describe the purpose of the college. This will open 
the way for a bright student, either in college or a 
graduate, to prepare a paper on the advantages of a col- 

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Social Plans for Young People 

lege education. Statistics as well as the names of great 
leaders will enable him to prove his statement. Finally 
ask the pastor, if he be tactful and wise, or, better still, 
a Christian layman, to answer the question, "Why a 
denominational college?" Invite the glee club from the 
denominational school which your Church supports. 
Distribute catalogues. If the college is not alert enough 
to prepare souvenir buttons holding a picture of one 
of its buildings, as a small reminder, then let the local 
Church provide such a button, to give those who attend. 
Be sure to send invitations to all the high-school stu- 
dents. Plan to create a college spirit in the decorations, 
program, and recreation. Arrange games that will both 
instruct and give heart-gladdening pleasure. Only 
eternity can measure the good that might be done in 
such a program if only one person is led to decide to 
take a college course. We, as Christian young people, 
need to encourage attendance at the denominational 
school. Otherwise we will find ourselves without great 
moral leaders in the State, and competent large- 
brained and well-trained pastors for our Churches. 



154 



CHAPTER VII. 

Planting Religious Information in 
the Social Life. 

The Young People's Missionary Movement of these 
days has aroused the whole Church. A splendid Wis- 
consin layman started it with his personal purse and 
guarantee. The prayerful eye and ear recognized it 
as God's leading. The work has spread until few wide- 
awake Churches can get along without a mission-study 
class. Big and heart-stirring things appeal to young 
folk. They respond promptly and heartily to large 
responsibilities. When their enthusiasm is back of a 
well-directed undertaking it is sure to succeed. Infor- 
mation is recognized and will appeal to reason and com- 
mand their support. Every possible thing should be 
utilized to arouse the interest of the younger folk in 
missions. If they take up this subject, other forms of 
religious loyalty are insured. Post them on the great 
benevolent work of the Church. It will arouse dor- 
mant energy. Every one should understand his own 
denomination, and the tenets of others. Scripture can 
be employed in a safe and dignified way in socials, and 

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Social Plans for Young People 

profitably too. Christmas and similar holidays often 
fail to impress their religious meaning. Art is a fruit- 
ful field of study and suggestion to the believer. We 
know so little about the power and history of music 
and song. Gratitude will be deeply stirred if we 
"count our blessings." Complaint changes into cheer 
when we see the fruitage of deprived lives. Untold 
usefulness lies open to the thinking, consecrated, social 
leader, to plant religious facts in soil where they will 
yield manifold. 

Local Aid for Mission Study. 

The local Chinese laundryman can vitally assist in 
rendering a program on "China." He will be willing 
to dress in his best, and, if able to talk English, explain 
about his garb. Some of them will now permit the 
wife and child to be seen. He will loan chop-sticks, 
shoes, lanterns, and other peculiar implements used by 
his people. These things should be assigned to indi- 
viduals with a request that they read a brief paper tell- 
ing of their origin and use. For a very little charge, 
and possibly free of cost, the Chinaman will write some 
sort of message in his own language that can be used 
as a souvenir of the occasion. It will not be difficult 
to bring into such a program some things to prove 
China's need for missions, and the wide-open door that 
faces us there. In the same way we may get a Japanese 
to help up on a "Japanese evening." Nothing so im- 
presses facts as clothing them in visible form. 

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Planting Religious Information 

Forming a Missionary Scrap-Book. 
Most people who prepare missionary essays have 
small access to news that will brighten and strengthen 
the composition. Start a missionary scrap-book. Re- 
quest a member who reads a good piece of mission news 
to clip it out and turn it over to the custodian of this 
scrap-book. Some one should be appointed to take 
charge of this book who will carefully index and ar- 
range the clippings. He ought to have good judgment, 
so that valueless things are not inserted. It would be 
foolish to lumber a book up with articles that have no 
point to them. When any one is to prepare a paper, 
he ought to have access to this book. Great care must 
be exercised in its preservation. The custodian requires 
that it be promptly returned, and will also carefully 
guard its use, so that it is not destroyed. He should 
prepare a two-minute missionary news leaflet, to read 
at every social or once a month at a devotional meeting. 
Nothing builds faith and stirs evangelistic endeavor like 
news from foreign lands. 

Mission .Facts in Regular Programs. 
Mix missions into the monthly social. Let the "mis- 
sionary" chairman plan ahead, to have one or more 
features ready. At one time have a recitation by a per- 
son dressed in a native costume. At another have a 
quartet sing a familiar gospel song that has been trans- 
lated into a "heathen" language. Facile-tongued young 
folk can learn them. Take the time at another social 

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Social Plans for Young People 

with a few ridiculous incidents; e. g. f Dr. Huett tells 
about a missionary in Japan who got the similar Jap- 
anese words for "wife" and "sin" mixed, and vigor- 
ously urged all the Japanese to put away their wives, 
or they would be lost. A few striking illustrations of 
interesting victory-signs might be given by a sprightly 
person once in awhile. A letter written by a native, 
with his peculiar use of English, will hold attention. 
A curio will open the way for a heart-rooting story or 
a memorable fact that will later lead to thought and 
action. Pin the name of some "missionary" on each 
one's back as he comes in, and make him find out whom 
he represents. It will make the material of the mission- 
study class usable. If a solo or ari essay is rendered, 
have the one giving it dress up in the costume of the 
country to which it is related. Play missionary games. 
They are abundant, can be manufactured, and are en- 
grossing. 

Realistic Letter Essays. 

Make essays realistic. Suppose, for example, the 
Hinghua (China) Mission is under consideration. 
Let the individual describing it speak as though he were 
writing a letter from Hinghua to America. If possible, 
put it in an envelope with a Chinese stamp on it. Let 
the envelope be opened before the audience. This will 
make realistic the news which it carries. Of course, a 
person must guard lest he forget he is writing from a 
distant town. 

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Planting Religious Information 

Utilizing Guests at Missionary Receptions. 

The "Uncle Sam" reception offers wide opportunity 
for giving missionary information. Mr. and Mrs. 
Uncle Sam, after receiving all the guests of the evening, 
who are dressed to represent some foreign country, can 
then select some of the best representatives and intro- 
duce them to the audience, at the same time giving a 
short story of the countries thus represented. Push into 
the recital the story of heathen customs rigorously prac- 
ticed in hungry search after heart peace. It might be 
better to have the leader simply introduce the people 
with a few explanatory words, while the representative 
tells the facts about the country, speaking in personal 
"I" terms. People will never forget the facts thus 
given, and the wide interest awakened will make it an 
unusual event. (See the further description given in 
"Workable Plans.") 

Missionary Essay Medal Contest. 
A missionary essay contest will lead folk to gather 
facts that would otherwise escape attention. A few 
years ago The Churchman offered a cash reward for 
the best essay on "Missions." A young lady secured it 
by preparing a remarkable paper. A visible reward 
somehow stirs all of us. It will not cost much to pur- 
chase a gold-plated medal. Promise it to the person 
who prepares and reads the best essay on "Missions." 
Careful rules must be made. It might be limited to 
high-school students or to people between certain ages. 

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Social Plans for Young People 

Select the judges carefully, so that there will be abso- 
lutely no prejudice in the decision. Use the methods 
employed in college contests of a similar nature. Inter- 
sperse the program, when these essays are read, with 
music and interesting features of various sorts, and 
charge a slight admission or take up an offering. It 
might be possible to employ the widely-used Home and 
Foreign Missionary debate. This could follow, and 
use the time the judges require to come 'to the final 
decision about the essays. It will be remembered that 
the wording of the debate is something like this: 
"Resolved, That Home Missions have a stronger claim 
upon us than Foreign Missions." The wording can, 
of course, be changed. Two speakers are given to each 
side. At the close the audience chooses the winning 
side. The collection is taken up. One plate passed is 
labeled, "Home Missions;" the other, "Foreign Mis- 
sions." When the money is counted, the plate having 
the largest sum in it gives its side five points. The 
audience then decides which side it considers made the 
best argument. This counts five points. The judges 
selected also vote on the best argument, and their de- 
cision counts five points. In this way the side which 
gets the most points out of fifteen is declared the 
winner. 

Home and Foreign Mission Debate. 

Here is an old plan that win9, and so is worthy of 
repetition for new people. Have a carefully prepared 

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Planting Religious Information 

and widely advertised debate on the question : "Re- 
solved, That Home Missions need our money more, 
and have a stronger demand upon us, than Foreign 
Missions." Choose the very best representatives for 
both sides, so that the subject will be fairly and fully 
presented. Have broad-minded judges. If time and 
interest permit, the discussion may be opened for the 
audience, the chairman recognizing alternate side oppo- 
nents, so that no two from any one side follow each 
other. Take a collection, and label one basket "Home" 
and the other "Foreign," and ask people to put their 
contributions into the basket that has made the best 
argument. The side gathering the largest collection 
ought to be allowed a certain number of points by the 
judges in giving the decision, or the question may be 
settled by the collection instead of by judges. 

Celebrated Missionaries Named. 

Furnish every one of the company with pencil and 
paper. Announce that two minutes will be given for 
the people to write the names of as many missionaries 
that begin with the letter "A" as they can think of. 
When the two minutes are up, time is called. A se- 
lected person reads this list. Suppose he has in it the 
name of Wm. C. Adams. He calls it out and tells 
what country he works in, and then every one in the 
room who does not have that name on his list, holds up 
his hand. Suppose ten have failed to get that name. 
He has now ten points. He reads the second name, if 

" 161 



Social Plans for Young People 

he has one, and is again credited with as many points 
as there are people who do not have that name on their 
list. When he has completed his list, if the next person 
has anybody on the list which the first list did not have, 
he reads the name and is also credited with a number 
equal to those in the room who do not have that name. 
Of course, every one who has the name Adams and 
the other names read by the first speaker, gets as many 
points as he does for that particular name. This same 
plan may be employed for "prominent statesmen," or 
"great Church leaders," or "renowned physicians," etc. 
This will test information along specified lines, as 
well as introduce the names of people who are widely 
reputed in some particular branch. 

Inspiring Benevolence Evenings. 

No Church can thrive without its membership con- 
scientiously and earnestly supporting the wide-reaching 
benevolent work of the denomination. Such avenues 
as open up for lifting the country and building the 
Kingdom must be promptly entered. Some pastors 
imagine that raising money for outside causes will affect 
harmfully the local collection. The effort to build 
churches in new communities, the need of evangeliza- 
tion in the cities, on the frontier, and among foreigners, 
and the wide-open door for the gospel in foreign lands, 
all appeal with heart-moving power if they get a good 
chance. The mission-study plan has accomplished won- 
ders for foreign missions. The young people's organi- 

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Planting Religious Information 

zation should, by program or by parts of several pro- 
grams, introduce interesting, arousing facts about these 
different departments of work. A "Down South" pro- 
gram pictures the needs of the freed negroes and the 
blighted whites of that vast region. A "Synagogue 
Evening" gives an opportunity to picture the patriotism 
of the man who helps build churches in needy com- 
munities. It would be possible to emphasize the need 
of such an institution to preserve civilization and insure 
development. The openings for donations can be 
marked by pertinent illustrations. A "Foreigners' 
Evening" will offer many opportunities to bring in the 
great subject of taking care of 10,000,000 foreign- 
speaking people who have landed in America in the 
last twenty-five years. A "Growing Up Evening" will 
make it possible to present the vast usefulness of the 
Sunday-schools and the fruitful fields that can be en- 
tered when the workers are furnished. A "Foreign 
Lands Evening" will give an organization limitless 
privileges of piling on enthusiasm-kindling fuel for 
missions. This is the most promising day that the 
Church has ever seen for work in distant lands. We 
must push it now or lose the strategic opportunity. 
Belle M. Brain's "Fuel for Missionary Fires" will give 
useful material and plans for any company that desires 
to build an unusually attractive entertainment along 
this line. People enjoy information. They will re- 
spond to facts. It is foolish to suppose that they will 
fear to hear about open doors for usefulness outside of 

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Social Plans for Young People 

their own Church. Such programs ought not be fol- 
lowed by immediate collections. If seed-truths are 
sown, people will give with a better spirit and a 
warmer heart after the information has been pondered 
for awhile. 

Denominational Children and Household. 

Have a "Methodist Family" program. How many 
branches are there in this country and England? When 
were they organized? and what caused them to go off 
from the original branch? How strong are each? and 
what are the particular tenets of each one? Have 
any ever been combined ? What hope is there for other 
unifications? What has been the cause of Methodism's 
success? Let a number of people answer this question, 
and then open it for general discussion. What improve- 
ments could be made ? At this meeting it would be well 
to sing songs that have been written by Methodists, 
giving a brief history of each. They might be lined 
out, and sung without an instrument. Write to a sta- 
tioner in Epworth, England, and have him send a box 
of writing-paper. Inscribe on it short sayings of Wes- 
ley, to be read aloud by the people at some time during 
the evening, and then to be carried away as a souvenir. 
Ask at least a few to dress as did the early Methodists. 
Explain the old class-meeting plan, and show some of 
the "Love Feast" admission tickets. Gather several 
pictures of the early leaders, and place them on the 
walls or on tables. It might be interesting to distribute 

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Planting Religious Information 

a list of books that give the history of . the various 
Methodist movements. There is an unending range of 
subjects and plans that can make this one of the most 
attractive evenings ever given. Use the same plan 
for your own denomination, whatever it is. Be posted 
about it. 

Study of Denominations. 

Prepare a "denominational study" program. It may 
be impossible to carry out the whole program in one 
evening. It might even be of large profit to prepare a 
series of programs to precede a social time. However 
that may be, the idea is worth considering. If the 
whole program is given in an evening, then plan only 
one paper or essay for a few selected denominations. 
If the plan is adopted in a small town, it will be well 
to select the local Churches. For example, some town 
has a Presbyterian, a Baptist, a Christian, and a Meth- 
odist Church. Request each Church to appoint a rep- 
resentative to read a ten-minute paper on the origin, 
government, and doctrines of that Church. Let it be 
some one else than the pastor. Following the paper, 
have a soloist from that Church sing the song which 
her own congregation has voted to be the most popular. 
If several evening programs are devoted to it, select 
two or three denominations to study each evening. 
One prepares a paper on the "History and Doctrines 
of the Church." Another describes its form of govern- 
ment,' and the advantages of that form. Another 

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Social Plans for Young People 

quotes three or four songs written by some member of 
that denomination. Another gives the biography of 
two or three prominent laymen who were spiritually 
trained or are living members of that denomination. 
If just two denominations are under consideration, re- 
quest the ladies to dress in some way to represent one 
denomination, and the gentlemen to dress in some way 
to represent the other denomination. If it is impossible 
to get other Churches to furnish folk to read essays, 
then appoint members of your own local organization 
to do so. We can not be broad Christians and fully 
charitable unless we understand something about the 
other Churches. The Denver Social Union, a Metho- 
dist organization, at a largely-attended meeting had a 
program that suggests work for some young people's 
organization. A Jewish rabbi, an Episcopalian rector, 
a Roman Catholic priest, and the pastor of a Chris- 
tian Church each told about the points of agreement 
with the Methodist Church. Why not arrange a pro- 
gram in which each Church should state its common 
articles of belief? Some people imagine Churches differ 
in fundamentals. In this good day the differences are 
usually on non-essential points. The old-fashioned 
"holier than thou" spirit is long ago dead. If it is a 
Presbyterian or a Methodist Church that is arranging 
the program, let it request the neighboring Churches 
to come in and state their points of agreement with that 
Church. This will bring out the things which all 
Churches hold in common. The day when denomi- 

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Planting Religious Information 

nations disappear will probably not come this side of 
heaven. Denominations furnish Church homes for 
differently constituted people. The quiet ritualist must 
have his Episcopal service. The spontaneous emo- 
tionalist must have his Methodist Church. Neverthe- 
less we must all agree on common things, and the more 
knowledge we have the wider will be our sympathy for 
each other, and the more general our co-operation. 

Illustrating Denominational Government. 

Few people understand how the Methodist Church 
is run. It could be illustrated with a program and 
papers. Have one group of people represent the Official 
Board, with a short paper from different ones, describ- 
ing the work of the different officers composing this 
body; e. g., the class leader, the steward, the trustee. 
Some one should also describe the authority and duties 
of this Board. Let another body represent the Quar- 
terly Conference, with papers describing the duties and 
standing of the different persons composing it, and its 
relation to the Annual Conference. At this time some 
one might well describe the work and duties of the 
pastor, the local preacher, and the presiding elder. Let 
another group represent the Annual Conference, with 
papers on its duties and authority, its membership, its 
past history, and its origin. Here also may come papers 
about the work and standing of the bishops, the Gen- 
eral Conference officers elected, and the origin of the 
Discipline, and its growth. There are an endless va- 

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Social Plans for Young People 

riety of subjects that can be taken up in connection with 
such a program. The Church papers may be men- 
tioned. The Book Concern would afford a profitable 
subject. Of course, it may not be possible to carry out 
such a program in one evening, but at least some of it 
will be valuable, and it might be well to run it through 
several meetings as a part of the program. This same 
idea can be employed by the different denominations, 
or for a study of them. 

Pioneer Preachers. 

Have an evening with a number of the early 
preachers who had a remarkable career, and to whom 
the Church is indebted for a good foundation. The 
life of "Billy Bray," if juicily reviewed, would draw 
attention and plant truth. Incidents from the life of 
"Lorenzo Dow" would show how God can use a man, 
even though he seems to be full of absolutely crippling 
blemishes. The history of "Peter Cartwright" reads 
like fiction and demonstrates how great an influence a 
man can have on all classes when he walks a straight 
road with Christ. His physical and moral courage at- 
tract and dignify. The cost of sainthood among Prot- 
estants is demonstrated when we find that Asbury, 
during his forty-five years as a minister, traveled an 
average of six thousand miles a year, mostly on horse- 
back, sleeping in the open fields or on the floors of log 
cabins usually, and receiving the munificent salary of 

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Planting Religious Information 

sixty-four dollars a year. The tragic death of Coke 
will arouse sympathy for missions. 

Cut- Up Scripture Verse. 

Write out a Scripture verse that contains an un- 
usual amount of truth within a small compass. 
(John ili, 1 6.) Cut it up into six or seven pieces of 
unusual shape. Have enough verses, so that when they 
are cut up there will be a piece for each one in the 
company. Now announce that the particles are to be 
fitted together until the whole verse can be made out. 
After these groups have collected and have fitted the 
slips together, they are to sit down and decide on what 
they think the verse teaches. It might be well for the 
group to elect a chairman, and help him to prepare a 
written statement of not over fifty words which will 
concisely explain the verse. This will get people ac- 
quainted, call their attention to the Scripture, and set 
their minds to thinking along proper lines. 

Few people can now correctly quote Scripture verses. 
Have each group decide on a verse of Scripture, quoted 
by one of their number, or gathered together by the 
help of all. The chairman will in due time read it to 
the assembled company. Of course, no Bibles will be 
at hand. If the verses are written out, submit them 
to judges, who will then compare the Scripture verses 
and decide which is the most unusual, also the one most 
nearly approaching the exact language of the Bible. If 

169 



Social Plans for Young People 

general participation is desired, request each one to 
write on a piece of paper a verse of Scripture which he 
can recall. The judges will then award a prize for 
the most original and exact passage. Of course, the 
verse must always be located in book and chapter. 

Sentences from a Scripture Passage. 

Provide each one with a typewritten reproduction 
of some passage of Scripture. For example, let it be 
Revelation iii, 20: "Behold, I stand at the door and 
knock," etc. It ought to be one that will do good by 
rooting itself in memory. Now ask each one to write 
on a piece of paper as many sentences as he can, 
using the words contained in this passage. Or he may 
be asked to see how many words he can make out of 
the letters contained in the first line of the verse. Five 
people having the verse may get together and see how 
many sentences or words the combined brains can 
produce. 

Teaching Possible at Christmas. 

It is too bad to lose the teaching opportunity of 
Christmas. The holiday season is, of course, a very 
busy time. The program suggested may be given some 
weeks before, and not prove to be premature. Where 
did the name originate? How long has this custom 
of giving presents existed? Where and when did the 
"Santa Claus" myth arise? Gather a few Christmas 
myths from different countries; e. g., in Russia the 

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Planting Religious Information 

mysterious visitor is an old woman, who was invited 
by the Wise Men to visit, with them, the ''Bethlehem 
Babe;" but, being busy, she postponed it until they had 
gone without her. She then started alone, and ever 
since has visited the children on Christmas eve, looking 
for Him. Give an account of the celebrations in for- 
eign lands. It may be witnessed in the foreign sections 
of our cities or in the mining camps. Sing the old 
carols. Have a good recitation or story, like "The 
Bird's Christmas Carol." What are the evils of 
Christmas, and what are the blessings? Let every one 
present tell of the most vivid childhood memory of the 
day. Many original and mirth-provoking incidents of 
actual occurrence thus come into circulation. 

Madonna Exhibition and Explanation. 

Give an evening to the exhibition of copies of the 
different Madonnas. It will be surprising how many 
pictures of Madonnas can be gathered in the ordinary 
congregation, and some of them at least will be very 
fine. Have some one trace a few of the traditions 
taught by the Catholic Church about the Virgin Mary. 
It will explain various paintings, and help us to under- 
stand them. Get the life history and inspiriting pur- 
pose of the more prominent painters; e. g., tell how 
Andrea-del-Sarto painted to supply the extravagant 
wants of his beautiful but cold-hearted wife. He 
always put her face in as the "Madonna," and that is 
the reason that the beauty there lacks softness. Recall 

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Social Plans> for Young People 

the fact that the "Sistine Madonna" was painted by 
a comparatively young man. It will be interesting to 
know that Michelangelo learned a number of trades, 
and that he slept with his clothes on, so that he could 
jump to work at any hour of the night when an in- 
spiration came. Compare the different Madonnas, and 
point our their weak and strong points. It will bring 
sweet lessons and arouse an interest in real art. The 
same plan could be successfully carried out for pictures 
of Je'sus, and other religious paintings. It will easily 
be possible, at the same time, to show that most of 
the best art clusters around Jesus, His life, teachings, 
and followers, or at least Christian facts. 

Favorite Songs and Programs. 

The song program never grows old or cobwebby. 
New things can easily be introduced. Request six or 
eight people each to bring in a complete history of his 
favorite song. Why is it liked? Who wrote it, and 
what was the occasion that brought it out? Where 
was the music secured, and when was it first heard? 
It might be possible to have as many as twenty bring 
in a brief statement about a favorite song. The best 
way, however, would be to take a vote of the member- 
ship. Some would be sure to select the same song. 
Pick out the most capable person among those who 
agree, and give him the names of the others who have 
also selected that particular song. He can then get 
their assistance in compiling facts that he wants to 

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Planting Religious Information 

present. See how many can recite a verse or all the 
stanzas of a hymn. Sing two or three, employing' the 
lining-out method, as used by the fathers. Assign two 
advocates to each one of the most popular songs. Give 
each ten minutes to argue why his piece of music is 
the best. Permit the whole company then to vote, 
judging the best piece by the arguments produced, and 
not from their feelings. If there is a local author of 
merit, invite him to tell the origin of his best song and, 
possibly, sing it. Perhaps an older member can lead 
in an old-fashioned song in the way it was sung in his 
boyhood. It will be interesting for some one to pre- 
pare a paper on early Church music. Few of us know 
that John Wesley would not permit a musical instru- 
ment of any sort in the early Methodist Churches. At 
one time the violin was counted the exclusive property 
of Satan. A few Churches still refuse to admit any 
musical instruments. One fine set of believers sing 
nothing but psalms set to proper meter. Musical com- 
positions at the start purely worldly, now carry some 
of the most heart-lifting hymns. 

Music Decorations and Representations. 

A "Music Evening" offers a wide opportunity for 
variety and instruction. Careful provision should be 
made in advance. Decorate the room with musical 
instruments, and other things used by musicians. Fre- 
quently an old violin or an old-fashioned accordion can 
be borrowed. An old man could bring his army fife. 

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Social Plans for Young People 

The neighborhood should be scoured to find interest- 
ing music relics. As each guest comes, the name of 
some musical instrument or musical term is pinned on 
his back; for example: ''Bass clef," "harmony," 
"pitch," etc. By numerous questions it is necessary for 
him to find what this pinned-on slip contains. The 
company may be separated by various methods into 
groups of six or eight. Each group is given three 
minutes to make plans for acting out a particular song. 
The ladies may be requested to come costumed appro- 
priately to represent some piece of music. In fact, each 
one may try to represent a popular song. During the 
evening some one goes to the piano and strikes two or 
three chords of several well-known pieces of music. A 
numbered card is handed to each one. As the chord is 
struck he writes opposite number one what he thinks 
the musical selection is, and so on through the list. 
Groups already provided for may also silently sing or 
gesture a piece for the rest of the crowd to guess. 

A Musical Hunt. 
One crowd of young people arranged a hunt. It 
furnished a delightful social evening. The previous 
week each of the young people received the following 
invitation hectographed on a neat little card: 
What? A Musical Hunt. 
When? February 6th. 
Where? 82 Winter Street. 
By whom? E. L. Thayer Chapter No. 128G. 
For whom? You. 

What for? To get the F. P., L. P., N. P., A, A. 
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Planting Religious Information 

As the people arrived they were furnished with pencil 
and paper containing the headings given in the list 
below ("Found on any sheet-music," etc.), and forty- 
eight numbered blank spaces. They were told to 
search the house until they found the forty-eight objects 
and decided what they represented. The hunt took 
them into every nook and corner of the house, and 
occupied the entire evening. 

Found in any Sheet Music: I. Steelyards; 2. Cord; 
3. Poetry; 4. Yours truly, John Smith; 5. Mustard; 
6. Dish of water marked "tepid;" 7. "I promise to 
pay," etc.; 8. Necktie; 9. Dough; 10. Photo of hostess; 
n. Picture of the sun; 12. Crowbar; 13. Tape 
measure; 14. Cane; 15. Head rest. 

Musical Terms: 16. Shot (short); 17. Pine pitch; 
18. Watch; 19. Crash; 20. Key; 21. Root; 22. Med- 
icine. 

Found in an Orchestra: 23. Chicken's "drumsticks;" 
24. Pickle and letter "O ;" 25. Vial in spectacle case; 
26. Vial on Cello; 27. Spectacles; 28. Beads; 29. 
Whalebones; 30. A hand, pointing; 31. Vial tied with 
bows; 32. Shoe strings; 33. Corncob (the corn 
was"et"). 

Composer: 34. Handle; 35. Bark; 36. Business card 
of a shoe dealer. 

Miscellaneous : 37. Quire of paper; 38. Hat band; 
39. "Saltery." 

Kinds of Composition: 40. Three beets in a meas- 

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Social Plans for Young People 

ure; 41. Circle; 42. Gentleman's photo; 43. Do wet 
(letters floating in water). 

Operas and Songs: 44. Jug; 45. Martha Washing- 
ton's photo; 46. Photo of Schley; 47. United States 
flag; 48. Toy soldier of tin. 

These objects represented the following musical 
terms and names: 1. Scales; 2. Chord; 3. Lines; 
4. Signature; 5. Sharp; 6. Flat; 7. Note; 8. Tie; 
9. Do; 10. Mi; 11. Sol; 12. Bar; 13. Measure; 
14. Staff; 15. Rest; 16. Staccato; 17. Pitch; 18. Time; 
19. Fortissimo; 20. Key; 21. Root; 22. Tonic; 23. 
Drumsticks; 24. Piccolo; 25. Violin case; 26. Violon- 
cello; 27. Reed instruments; 28. Bugles; 29. Bones; 
30. Director; 31. Violin bows; 32. Strings; 33. Cornet; 
34. Handel; 35. Bach; 36. Schumann; 37. Choir; 
38. Band; 39. Psaltery; 40. Waltz; 41. Round; 
42. Hymn; 43. Duet; 44. "Little Brown Jug;" 45. 
"Martha;" 46. "Warrior Bold;" 47. "Star-Spangled 
Banner;" 48. "Little Tin Soldier." 

Prizes were awarded explaining the letters "F. P." 
(first prize) ; "L. P." (last prize) ; "N. P. A. A." (no 
prize at all). 

Use as many musical instruments in the program as 
possible. Have no two numbers by the same instru- 
ment. It will be surprising to find how many instru- 
ments can be discovered. Have some one read a paper 
on the "History of Pianos," or the "Origin of Violins," 
or the "First Musical Instrument." It would be inter- 
esting to have two or three biographical essays dealing 

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Planting Religious Information. 

with great composers. Some one else might profitably 
add a short talk or essay on the value of music. Close 
the whole social by getting the company to singing a 
number of old-fashioned songs. 

Worst Accidents. 

Have each person relate the worst accident he was 
ever in. Ask him to give details. It may lead to 
greater care and enable one to avoid a similar risk or 
real accident in the future. It may picture a miracu- 
lous escape that shows the value of care or the effective- 
ness of prayer. There may be a good moral, which 
can be impressively enforced. The ability to tell star- 
tling things in a striking way is often cultivated, and 
peculiar gifts are uncovered. 

Poor-Health Blessers. 

Give an evening to the study of the work of men 
and women who have blessed the world in spite of the 
fact that health was poor or some heavy affliction or 
misfortune had come upon them. A few of the more 
prominent ones may be selected. Such a study will 
arouse ambition, stop complaints, -and help build up 
gratitude. Take for example the life of Fannie Crosby. 
Have a brief biography of the blind vision-getter, 
George Mathewsom Recall the cheerfulness and the 
work of the dying Stevenson. Read a few of the sweet 
poems of the stricken Dunbar. Look up the obstacles 
i2 177 



Social Plans for Young People 

over which Prescott climbed. Get the story of the 
Illinois invalid who, while on a helpless bed of pain, 
raised thousands of dollars to be used in foreign mis- 
sionary work by making blotters. Review "The 
Woodcarver of Olympus." A program of surpassing 
interest and profit can in this way be arranged. 



178 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Church Aid Work for Social Hearted 
Young People. 

When people help form plans, they enter into them 
more vigorously than if brought to their hands com- 
plete. It is difficult to get fully-attended committee 
meetings these busy days. Nothing draws people into 
companies so effectively as dining together. By all 
means lay careful plans for putting definite things into 
the hands » of young people that will increase the 
efficiency of the Church as a whole. If thus trained, 
they will carry the heavier loads, as officials, with grace 
and skill a little later. This chapter will undertake 
to put a torch at the head of a few open pathways. 

Flowers spiritualize the regular services. The pulpit 
gives a better message if blossoms smile near by. The 
individuals of the audience value a flower, and it helps 
to open their hearts. A beautiful and tasty exterior 
and lawn advertise a high-class and working Church. 
The faithful choir appreciates attention. The new 
members should receive an impressive welcome. The 
Juniors should find regular Church sympathy. Busy 

179 



Social Plans for Young People 

fingers can pen a heart-rooting message. Young people 
do not have many dollars to give, but they have fine 
earning ability that ought to be utilized. Their "cheer 
up" power is almost limitless. Scores need it sadly. 
There are so many ways of employing it to make heart- 
flowers bloom. We must by every possible means make 
their work and organization a success. Courage can 
accomplish almost anything. The young people's 
Church will be attractive to all classes. It is so easy to 
secure the young and to get tremendous help from 
them. Plan and pray for it. Put the social life to 
a pertinent use. There is some way to accomplish this 
everywhere. Let us be determined to find it. To-day 
and to-morrow, depend on it. 

Committee Meeting Around a Table. 

Every one likes to eat, and will grow more congenial 
and social around the table than any place else: We 
must arrange for a good many "Church" affairs in 
this way. Committee meetings are hard to make a 
success. No chairman is a winner who does the work 
himself. He is a good leader who develops others to 
fill his place to-morrow, when something compels him 
to give up. If he is afraid of being crowded out, he 
is too small to fill it now. Plan with a restaurant or 
with some good woman who is a member of the 
Church, to serve supper at six o'clock for all of the 
committees, for twenty-five cents. Have a few toasts 
that will arouse enthusiasm, and then break up into 

180 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

groups to plan and get ready to push. A single com- 
mittee may arrange to meet in this same way. The 
expense will- be light. Nearly every one can pay his 
own way. Where this is impossible it will be a good 
investment for the Young People's organization to 
meet the bill for the persons unable to pay for their 
own* refreshments. 

Pulpit Flowers. 

So few Churches regularly have flowers in the pulpit. 
Plenty of people will be glad to assist, so that fragrance 
and beauty can help people to see God in the service. 
The Young People can easily and successfully take 
charge of this feature. Find out what members have 
flower gardens, and arrange to send some one after 
bouquets at stated times. Get the pledge of others to 
plant flowers for the summer. In the winter time 
there are plenty of blossom-lovers who will lend an 
adorned potted plant or two to a careful person to 
convey it to the Church, if it is safely returned. A 
well-known Church fills up the altar at Easter time by 
sending around a wagon to the houses of members who 
loan potted plants over Sunday. Of course, some one 
must see that the building is kept warm and that the 
dirt is well moistened. Man£ florists will even permit 
flowers to be used in this way if they are thus cared for. 
Some of them will at certain times, when well stocked 
and while trade is low, donate buds and blossoms. 

181 



Social Plans for Young People 

Flowers Making Friends. 

The Social Committee may arrange to give every 
attendant at the Church service on some unannounced 
night a flower, which may be fastened on a card on 
which is printed an invitation to the Young People's 
meeting, or else a verse of Scripture or poetry, full of 
cheer and hope, that exactly fits the very flower that is 
presented. The flower gift might be ai ranged as a 
surprise to the pastor. It will make the auuience feel 
good and happy. It will bring the strangers back 
again and tie all closer to each other. The older people 
will feel grateful to the young folk for this general 
help to the regular service. 

Presenting Flags. 

Many States will no longer permit any kind of 
printed matter on flags. Where it is allowed, inscribe 
the name of the Chu v ch or of the young people's or- 
ganization on a tiny flag, and present one to every 
member of a Sunday audience, nearest a patriotic holi- 
day. If, however, the printing is not allowed, supply 
the flags anyway. People will carry them home as a 
reminder of patriotism and of the Church that pre- 
sented them. Dr. Roberts, of Denver University, sug- 
gests that the local Church design its own Church flag, 
though it be a simple white one, and print the name of 
the Church on it. 

182 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

Lawn-Improvement Carnival. 

The young people's organization ought to have a 
great deal of pride in keeping up the looks of the lawn 
and lot about the Church. Make arrangements some 
Saturday afternoon to thoroughly clean and beautify 
the. Church grounds. Great fun and sociability can be 
created, while lasting results would show themselves 
in the improvements. The young ladies come to the 
Church to advise and assist in light tasks. At the 
supper hour they prepare a dainty, appetizing, satisfy- 
ing meal. The young men arrive by two o'clock with 
shovels, rakes, and hoes, and uniformed in old clothes. 
With twenty diligent, earnest workers of this sort, 
spurred on by feminine eyes, a wonderful transforma- 
tion can be wrought. Baker University in this way 
insured the building of a new gymnasium after the old 
one had burned down, when it was impossible to get 
laborers enough to remove the ruins rapidly. Many 
colleges have thus beautified the surrounding campus. 
The joy of working together creates friendships, and 
the hearty happiness of eating in a crowd after a hard 
afternoon's work will not soon be forgotten. A Church 
with dirty or scrapy surroundings advertises itself as 
having a sleepy membership. 

Recognizing Choir Service. 
Volunteer choirs deserve much credit and ought to 
have large encouragement. It takes hard and faithful 

183 



V 



Social Plans for Young People 

work to prepare for every Sunday. Plan to give the 
members a reception. Collect expressions of apprecia- 
tion from individuals, and have them typewritten, so 
that each member can have a copy. Ask the Official 
Board to pass resolutions. Give them badges that may 
be preserved. If the affair is annual, make every one 
different, so that old members may have something to 
store away. Perhaps, if an unusually good service has 
been rendered, a fund may be raised to give each one 
a cash present, or a beautiful book that deals with 
hymns or music. The Central Presbyterian Church, 
Denver, one Christmas gave each member of the choir 
a five-dollar bill. 

Reception to New Church Members. 

It is well for every Church to set as a mark a fixed 
number of new members to get into the Church by a 
certain date; e. g. } on June 1st the pastor announces 
that effort will be made to have twenty-five new mem- 
bers by October 1st. This will set every one to work 
for this goal, and a spirit of enthusiasm will be en- 
gendered. When the number is reached, the Young 
People's organization may give the new members a 
reception. Have the Social Committee send each new 
one a neat badge, with a request that it be worn that 
evening. Then every one can recognize them and be 
able to see that they be treated as guests. Have the 
oldest member in the Church speak a word of welcome. 
Have the Junior Choir sing a song. An old-fashioned 

184 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

Methodist shakedown will not be amiss. At least it 
may be well to gather the new members at the front, 
and while a young people's chorus sings ''Blest be the 
Tie," have the others pass along and shake hands with 
each one. The Church will appreciate this assistance, 
and the Young People's organization will be called to 
the attention of all. Several features may be employed 
to feed loyalty to the Church at the above-mentioned 
reception. Have a blank piece of paper, on which is 
written "Joining the Church." Ask each one to make 
as many words out of this sentence as possible, and 
hand in the lists. Have judges to examine them and 
see who has written the most words. Have a series 
of questions about that particular denomination, and 
pass them around, to see how many each can answer. 
In this way no one is embarrassed, since only the names 
of those who have correctly replied will be given. Cut 
up a picture of the local Church into six or eight pieces. 
Pass these out, and have the groups form by fitting the 
parts together. When the group has formed, ask it to 
write all the group knows about the local Church. 
Each one will know something, and the whole will 
form an interesting story of the Church, which may be 
read. It might be well to have a display of old books 
that are in some close way related either to the local 
Church or to the denomination in general ; e. g. } an 
old Discipline or hymnal, or an ancient record of mem- 
bers, or some old set of minutes of the Official Board. 
It would also be wise to encourage the Church his- 

' 185 



Social Plans for Young People 

torian by asking him on that evening to make a display 
of everything he has collected. Have some kind of 
souvenir to be given at least to all of the new members. 
A button with the picture of the church on it, or a 
passe partout picture of the church, that might be hung 
up, will be apt gifts. If not too costly, it would be 
fine if the liquid refreshments were served in a cup 
marked with a picture of the church, which each 
"guest" would be permitted to take home. 

Encouraging the Juniors. 

The Senior organization should by very many prac- 
tical methods keep in closest touch with the Juniors, for 
the best future workers will come from this organi- 
zation. Once a year give the members who have made 
a certain record for attendance, or study, or order, or 
all of these, a banquet. Make it formal and dignified, 
with regular courses and menu. Invite the Junior 
Cabinet to meet with the Senior Cabinet once in awhile. 
Have a regular visitor, who will attend Junior socials 
and help them have a good time. Juniors like to have 
Seniors play with them. Purchase badges for all the 
members who meet certain requirements. Print the 
name of the superintendent on all Senior matter, and 
at times print the names of all Junior officers. Pro- 
vide them cards to be marked with credits for Church 
attendance. Arrange a banquet for this class. Make 
every attendance count as "two" cents. If they have 
been present every Sunday during the year, the banquet 

186 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

will cost them nothing, but two cents must be paid to 
the Banquet Committee for each absence. Twenty 
"present" marks will be necessary to be admitted at all. 

A Hearing for Mission Study. 

The Mission Study Class of the High Street Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church of Barberton, Ohio, gave a very 
attractive and fun-creating social at a fine private house 
in the fall, before organizing for the new year. Great 
numbers of }^oung people, of course, gladly attended 
this social. At the close of the happy period the work 
of the mission study class was explained, and cards 
were passed out so that as many as desired to join 
could write their names and addresses. In this way the 
young people with hearts opened by happiness had the 
subject of mission study presented in a way that com- 
manded a hearing. Many joined the class who would 
otherwise have given no attention to the subject. It 
was one way of "compelling" people to come where 
they could hear the gospel of missions. 

Follow-Up Christian Letter Writing. 

Some regular or appointed committee has been care- 
fully keeping a list of young people who have not yet 
openly professed allegiance to Christ. Great loss or, 
at least, the missing of much joy will result if this is 
not done. Persistent personal following up will usually 
reach many on this list. At the close of 'a social given 
to a limited number of consecrated disciples, propose a 
187 



Social Plans for Young People 

letter-writing half hour. Provide appropriate sta- 
tionery. If possible, assign the name of some young 
person who is open to conviction, to three or four of 
the company who know him, or her. Put the three or 
four who will write to the same person, at different 
tables, and request them to put into words hearty in- 
terest and a warm plea to this particular person, in the 
hopes that he, or she, may choose Christ. If located at- 
different tables, they will not be likely to use the same 
line of thought, and there will be no evidence of a com- 
mon model. Three or four people writing to different 
individuals may, of course, sit at the same table and 
make suggestions to each other. This plan will insure 
two, three, or four letters to one person, all of which 
deal with personal religion. Few hearts will long 
stand against such a united putting of appeals. In- 
terest, prayer, and attention will likely follow the letter. 
Three people will be thinking about a particular one. 
Of course, the work must not stop with the letter- 
writing. It will be well for these three to continue 
to pray, plan, call, and talk with the individual until 
a sheaf is gathered. The same company may give 
themselves to writing letters to various sorts of folk. 
There are always some sick people who would enjoy 
a fresh message from young people. Every town has a 
few shut-ins whose hearts warm under the influence 
of interesting personal epistles. We can never do too 
much for the old people. They take special delight in 
receiving attention from the young. It is common to 

188 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

criticise public officials. Suppose these letter-writers 
send out a bunch of commendations to some public 
official. Twenty letters to five different officials, re- 
questing that the saloons be closed on Sunday, would 
strike in. Other objects will suggest themselves. The 
Anti-Saloon League has accomplished wonders by roll- 
ing in on the members of the Legislature great batches 
of letters and telegrams at critical times. The faithful 
Sunday-school superintendent would be greatly glad- 
dened by fifteen or twenty appreciative notes. Letter- 
writing can work wonderful miracles if properly di- 
rected and freighted. 

Captains and Groups for Special Funds. 

Grace Church Epworth League carried through a 
very successful plan to secure money for the purchase 
of a piano. The pastor and president selected ten tried 
captains. The twelve gathered around a supper table 
to complete their plans. Each captain selected nine 
assistants. It was decided to give a concert, for which 
twenty-five cents admission would be charged. It was 
evident that, if each captain saw to it that his company 
sold one hundred tickets, enough money would be in- 
sured to make the purchase. This would only make it 
necessary for each individual in each company to sell 
ten tickets. The president stirred the captains. The 
captain stirred the members of his own company. It 
was agreed beforehand that the members of the com- 
pany which sold the most tickets should have their 

189 



Social Plans for Young People 

pictures taken in a group and hung in the League-room 
over the title ''Boosters." Every individual who sold 
twenty-five tickets was to be photographed in another 
group to be hung in the League-room and properly 
named. A few merchants offered rewards for the 
most tickets sold. A gold watch was given as the first 
reward, and a silver watch for the second reward, and 
so on. The contest ran three weeks. Every five days 
the captains gathered around a supper table and dis- 
cussed progress, and adjourned in time to meet evening 
engagements. In this way the success of one certain 
captain spurred another to redoubled efforts. Several 
individuals started out with the purpose of securing the 
watch. Each captain was unwilling to stand at the 
end of the list. All groups undertook to reach the 
coveted goal by being the best. The result went beyond 
expectations. About fourteen hundred tickets were 
sold, and that, too, without drawing heavily on the 
members or without the Church even noticing the 
money-raising. The young people were set to work 
and were thoroughly warmed with enthusiasm. We 
discovered several unusual leaders and developed a few 
remarkable workers. The whole company recognized 
that they could do something, and this gave them 
courage. It raised money, it gave the young people 
a good time, it brought the Church prominently for- 
ward, and it vitalized the young people's organization. 



190 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 



Gathering "Clothes" Social. 

Socials come into every department of young people's 
work. It is easy to neglect fine opportunities for doing 
good. It may be that some young man, a member of 
the local Church, is trying to work his way through 
school. A partially w T orn suit of clothes or an overcoat 
will save him a cash expenditure and enable him to 
remain in school, when otherwise he would be com- 
pelled to drop out. There are always deserving people 
who are compelled to stay idle because their shabby 
appearance gives them a poor bearing at the place they 
apply for a position. Other folk, through no apparent 
fault of their own, are compelled to shiver through the 
winter for the need of clothes that are stuck aw T ay in 
attics or trunks in Christian homes. Many impover- 
ished sick folk would get an appetite and strength if 
a glass of jelly or a jar of preserves w T ere used to tempt 
them. Near-by hospitals could do much more effective 
work if canned and preserved foods were placed at 
their disposal. City missions w r ould grip tighter the 
hearts of their neighbors if a bundle of usable clothes 
or a collection of eatable dainties were placed in their 
hands at frequent intervals. A "Help Others" social 
can be made very attractive and will command and 
draw the people's attention. Make the price of admis- 
sion a glass or a jar of fruit, or a bundle of mended 
and not over-w r orn clothes, or something of this sort 
that can be employed in practical aid to the needy. It 

191 



Social Plans for Young People 

will be instructive to exhibit these things. Some 
Sunday-schools no longer give Christmas candies and 
toys to their scholars. Instead, they create larger joy 
and more enduring happiness by arranging for the chil- 
dren to bring provisions, clothing, and money, to be 
sent to the poor. We must teach economy along with 
other lessons. If practical use is made of things laid 
away in uselessness, it will be much like taking the 
talent out that has been wrapped up in a napkin. 

Fair Rest-Rooms. 

The day of county fairs is not altogether gone; 
it is rather on the increase. In many places carnivals 
and street fairs have sprung up. The saloon and other 
sinful attractions make large preparations. There is a 
big opening for young people's organizations to take a 
hand in caring for the crowds. The Christian En- 
deavor Union of Des Moines provided and made at- 
tractive a large rest tent at the State Fair in that city 
several seasons. Three hundred rested, and over a 
thousand registered during one week. Such a plan 
saves many from saloons and similar temptation, and 
also wins gratitude from beneficiaries. An empty store- 
room may be provided during a carnival, for the same 
purpose. If possible, secure members who will be 
willing to be on the streets with a large badge labeled, 
"I live here; ask me." The young people's badge or 
name may be worked on it too. It would not be a 
bad plan to provide some sort of a tasty souvenir to 

192 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

be given to the visitors. A button holding the picture 
of the church would be sought after and would bring 
Christian facts vividly before the mind. This is social 
work, because it plants good feelings for the Church's 
religion that often leads to uplifting friendships. 

Volume of Birthday Greetings. 

The Denver Methodist preachers always call in a 
body on Bishop Warren at the time of his birthday 
anniversary. At one time it was desired to prepare an 
appreciation that would be valued. A committee pro- 
cured prepared paper from the printer, and sent a sheet 
to every Methodist minister in Colorado. Exact in- 
structions were enclosed with it, requesting the re- 
cipients to write a brief greeting on one page of the 
paper, within certain bounds, or lines. Pasteboard 
covers carried the paper and brought it back. Nearly 
two hundred ministers obeyed the instructions definitely 
enough to make it possible to put their productions into 
the plan. When all the greetings had been returned, 
they were gathered, numbered, and indexed, and bound 
into a beautiful volume, which was presented to the 
bishop at the birthday reception. This volume con- 
tained the greetings of two hundred ministers in their 
own words and handwriting. It was valued beyond 
computation of dollars and cents. A similar plan can 
be used by the young people to cheer many sorts of 
Church leaders who are carrying heavy burdens. The 
Young People's president, the pastor, the Sunday-school 

r 3 193 



Social Plans for Young People 

superintendent, the city mission leader, the college presi- 
dent, the local bishop, or many other people of this 
sort, would highly value a book of greetings gathered 
from their friends. While this costs time, it furnishes 
the most effective heart-medicine known. 

Postal Card Shower. 

Suppose you have a very faithful and hard-working 
Young People's organization president, or a pastor who 
is especially in need of cheering up, or there is an old 
saint in the community who has done much to make the 
Church a power. Try a postal card shower on him. 
Get the members to work it as a surprise. Get about 
twenty to agree to write to three distant friends a re- 
quest that they send a postal card distinctive of their 
own town and community to the selected party. Time 
the request, or have them estimate the mailing so that 
the cards will reach their destination at about the same 
time. Imagine the surprise and the good cheer which 
will come from sixty or seventy-five postal cards coming 
from all over the United States in one or two mails. 

Supper for City Unions. 

The Kansas City Epworth League Union, under the 
presidency of Rev. H. A. King, evolved a winning plan. 
In the cities it is difficult for the young people to get 
out to their homes, eat, and get back to an evening 
meeting, often a long way off. Even if it is possible, 

194 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

the added exertion on top of a wearying day will often 
cool enthusiasm and decide one to stay at home. The 
Kansas City Union arranged to serve supper at the 
Church where the rally was to be held, so that the 
3'oung people who must travel a long way did not need 
to go home. A small charge is made, to cover the 
actual expenses. The plan proved attractive from the 
first, and a large number came for supper. The rallies 
were in this way made a regular success. 

Securing New Members. 

No young person must ever fail to get a good and 
well-enforced chance to join the Young People's organi- 
zation. Every member needs, at least once in awhile, 
to have enthusiasm stirred for the organization. Dif- 
ferent contests for membership will frequently accom- 
plish this result. The old plan of dividing into groups 
with badges of different colored ribbons, and several 
different points to count in the contest, is a good one. 
Many organizations have more than doubled in this 
way. Some, however, find objections to it. It is good 
to pit the different committees against each other to get 
new "joiners." It will help to solidify and individ- 
ualize them, and this may result in better work in other 
lines. Offer some sort of a badge or a banner to be 
given to the committee, each month, that brings in the 
most new members. It may be possible to provide neat 
badges, marked "Winner," to be given to the indi- 
viduals forming the committee. In this way the contest 

195 



Social Plans for Young People 

may run through the whole year, and be renewed 
every month. 

Providing Badges for Members. 

Great good can be done by encouraging the members 
of the Young People's organization to wear badges 
designating the fact that they are members. It will 
enable strangers to recognize common interests. Lodge 
members make large use of the badge, hand grip, 
and password to bring together people who would 
otherwise be unknown to each other. If the organi- 
zation can afford it, purchase badges and present one, 
without cost, to every one on receiving him or her into 
the membership. The Methodist Brotherhood charges 
one dollar and ten cents initiation fee. This furnishes 
seventy-five cents for the badge and pays the first 
month's dues. The badge is presented at the time the 
member is initiated. All Young People's organizations 
would do well to imitate this plan. If, however, this 
is impossible, the social chairman should keep on hand 
a good supply of badges and let the fact be widely 
known, so that members could easily purchase them. 
By some means or other the social committee should 
see to it that every member wears a badge. Nothing 
will better aid in forming valuable and abiding friend- 
ships. 

Pastors Presenting Badges. 

The pastor may surprise the Chapter and plant a 
reminder of himself and his Church near every member 

196 



Work for Social Hearted Young People 

by presenting the members with the Epworth League 
or Christian Endeavor button. The name of the local 
Church can be added to a very neat celluloid button 
manufactured by the Whitehead-Hoag Company, New- 
ark, New T Jersey. The expense will be trifling. It is 
a great thing to have each member wear a designating 
button while at work or walking on the streets. It 
puts him on his guard and advertises Young People's 
organizations and their cause. 



197 



CHAPTER IX. 

Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical 
Problems by Directed Socials. 

Posted people give prompt backing to worthy causes. 
Church collections are often poor because facts are not 
planted. Dr. Shailer Mathews claims that recent civic 
reforms are due to past training in the Sunday-school 
and Young People's Societies. Many retiring pastors 
leave a financially educated Church behind them. It is 
easily possible to employ the social life of the young 
people to inform them so that they will push pressing 
problems potently to an early solution. 

The Church must do literal and systematized "Good 
Samaritan" work through the Christian hospital. The 
soul is easily reached while the body is healing. The 
rum demon is being downed by the Anti-Saloon League. 
Christians alone are able to effectually save the Negro. 
Leaders in the revival that gave us modern Protes- 
tantism started prison reform. The Juvenile Court 
will be a failure without Christ's gospel and disciples. 
We must be good to the "old folks," and learn grate- 
fully from the past. When the Church makes itself 

198 



Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

felt in public affairs, civilization and righteousness will 
advance. It is too easy to criticise. Commendation 
counts more than condemnation. Public officials have 
a good many thorns with their roses. Money-getting 
and spending is a living question. Vacations prolong 
life; they may be wasted. All of these and scores of 
other questions front us on every hand. Young people 
are not afraid of them. If put into the hands of Chris- 
tians, the outcome in each case is assured to be as near 
the right as the day makes possible. Let us, then, plan 
to hitch up youth's warmth and "go" to every possible 
task before us. 

Hospital Study and Evening. 

Roman Catholics have shamed the Protestants in 
their laudable effort to plant Christian hospitals in 
every community. Other Churches are now arising to 
their possibilities along this line. The Church young 
people should encourage the effort by every available 
means. Money, provisions, flowers, should be regu- 
larly furnished. An information-giving program will 
plant a supporting interest. Plan the "hospital even- 
ing" so that it will be the best of the year. Assign some 
one to study the origin of the hospitals. It will be dis- 
covered that where Christ is unknown this helping in- 
stitution never comes. Missionaries immediately plant 
healing homes. Infidels have never yet started a single 
one. No charitable free beds exist outside of the re- 
ligiously founded or managed institutions, unless it is 

199 



Social Plans for Young People 

publicly supported. A profitable inspiration will 
come from a study of the religious orders that 
back hospitals. The great deaconess movement is 
making Protestant institutions possible, when before 
they were impossible. Women are developing mag- 
nificent ability in this work. An experienced hospital 
nurse or matron can relate incidents that will show the 
wide-spreading usefulness of hospital service. No more 
fruitful field opens for evangelistic success. The sick 
people are always heartily grateful to those who min- 
ister to- them in their pain. When consecrated folk are 
willing to give their lives without cost, in the way the 
sisters and the deaconesses do, the Church ought to be 
glad to pay the necessary bills. The Young People's 
organization may frequently start a movement that 
will result in a local hospital. In this practical day 
many moneyed men are willing to invest in institutions 
that render relief that is so evident. It oftens requires 
only a leader. A small start usually leads to larger 
things. Hospital work is a literal carrying out of the 
Good Samaritan activities. 

Anti-Saloon League and Temperance. 

If we will keep shouting, pushing, and working, it 
will not be many days before the deadly saloon is 
banished from America. Our Southern friends are 
giving us courage and example in the magnificent work 
of eradicating this American curse. We, however, dare 
not stop the education of people along temperance lines. 

200 



Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

When the saloon element lay prostrated in Kansas, 
people imagined that the battle was won, and ceased 
their activities. Soon the illicit "joint" sprang up, 
and the State was again in the hands of the liquor 
forces, to a large extent. Recent inspirational informa- 
tion has enabled the State to once more shake off its 
old enemy almost entirely. Temperance results are not 
secured by hot wind. Sentiment is created by real facts, 
and not simply by vituperating the saloonist. Spend an 
evening in the study of the modern temperance move- 
ment. Some comparatively young people still remem- 
ber seeing and hearing Neal Dow, the first prohibition 
advocate. John Wesley even defended the drinking of 
beer by the preachers. Less than fifty years ago whisky 
was purchased for the Churches in New England when 
they installed a new pastor. The first total abstainers' 
society, the Washingtonians, was organized in 1841.. 
Education has now gone so far forward that the largest 
institutions require total abstinence from their em- 
ployees. Even liquor firms insist on their responsible 
men leaving their product alone. Finest families recog- 
nize that it is poor form to serve it on the table. Study 
the history of Abraham Lincoln along this line. It 
will be remembered that early in life he signed a total 
abstinence pledge, which he kept until death. The 
modern Anti-Saloon League is one of the most promis- 
ing movements the country has ever seen. A card 
to its general superintendent, the Rev. Perle A. 
Baker, D. D., Columbus, Ohio, will bring valuable in- 

201 



Social Plans for Young People 

formation concerning its history, plans, and outlook. 
Maps are now plentiful which exhibit the rapid spread 
of temperance sentiment over the United States. An 
address by a trusted physician or teacher illustrating 
the physical effects of alcohol will add purpose and 
value to the whole program. No more intensely inter- 
esting meeting can be planned than one which will deal 
brightly and intelligently with this subject. 

"Fruice" for Punch. 

Some months ago the Nebraska Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union ladies decided that it was not wise 
for Christians to call their fruit-flavored beverages pre- 
pared for receptions and entertainments by the same 
name which the world crowd called their preparations 
which contain alcoholic enliveners. They offered a re- 
ward for the best substitute name for "punch." After 
careful consideration they awarded the prize to the 
word "fruice." It is a good one; use it. 

The Negro Problem a Study. 

Some evening make an interesting study of the Negro 
problem. Large fields of information are open to the 
investigator. The question presses hard upon us for 
solution. One class insist still that the Negro can never 
rise to the plane occupied by full-fledged humans. A 
prominent business man in Richmond, Virginia, re- 
cently insisted to me that a Negro's skull grew together 

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Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

at seven years of age. There was no more possibility 
of development. He argued that they were always to 
be constitutional menials. "Leopard Spots" argues 
from the same standpoint. Another class positively dis- 
proves these theories by reference to the work of great 
charitably supported schools for Negroes in the South. 
Booker T. Washington offers a fine subject for a paper. 
Bishop Scott, a colored man of the Methodist Church, 
was educated and so reached his elevated position, 
while his brother, equally bright, received no help from 
Freedmen's Aid school, and so remains a Pullman 
porter. Various instances of marked ability can be 
gathered, all furnishing food for thought. A brief 
description of the history and work of the Hampton 
Institute and similar schools will light the way to suc- 
cess. The result of prohibition in the South on Negroes 
will also gladden the hearts of people. Religious work 
of a sane quality will easily stand out as the only and 
full panacea. Bring in local colored men of education 
and standing to present their side of the case. Arrange 
a debate that will specify some method of solving the 
Negro question. Introduce novel and suggestive re- 
freshments. Have a Negro "auntie" bake pancakes, 
to be sold at ten cents a plate, with syrup furnished 
free. Request all comers to wear a red bandana hand- 
kerchief around their neck. Have the waiters (or 
those who serve the people) dressed in Negro style, 
with blackened faces. 

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Social Plans for Young People 

Prison Interests. 

The study of prison reform is very interesting and 
will afford a fine opportunity for a stimulating and in- 
forming program. Trace the progress of civilization 
in the lessening of the death penalty, and discover the 
cause. Notice the work of the early Oxford "Metho- 
dists" in easing the condition of near-by prisoners. Em- 
phasize the work of Fleidner in Germany after he had 
been aroused by the work of Elizabeth Fry in England. 
Notice the peculiar coincidence that out of this came 
the great Modern Protestant Deaconess movement. 
Picture the conditions of solitary confinement, the state 
of those compelled to be idle. Study the new treatment 
of prisoners; e. g., have a description of the California 
method of giving the better prisoners a more attractive 
and varied menu. Picture the terrible facts that the 
majority of the criminals are under twenty-one, and 
that the criminal life seems to fix itself on them. Con- 
clude by showing how difficult it is for an ex-prisoner 
to get employment or to make a new start because of 
universal suspicion and the surveillance of the police. 
Determine to assist some worthy organization whose 
purpose it is to help them. 

Juvenile Court Study. 

The Juvenile Court work offers a field of unparal- 
leled warning and interesting information. Try to 
discover why it is necessary now, when our fathers did 
204 



Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

not need it. "Is child criminality increasing?" Recog- 
nize the new conditions that face us. It will be inter- 
esting to prepare a history of the modern movement. 
Judge Lindsey's life will help us to understand his 
work. A comparison of the laws of various States 
may lead to suggested improvements locally. Get an 
expert to explain the cause of juvenile delinquency. It 
will be surprising to discover that Christless home- 
life, even in respectable houses, is usually to blame. 
Write letters to two or three different judges, and ask 
them how the Church can help the Juvenile Court. 
New and telling work may be discovered for the 
Mercy and Help Committee. Close the whole study 
by emphasizing the need of kindness and fairness in all 
dealings with boys and girls on the streets, and -even 
at home with the younger brother. 

"Old Folks" at Church. 

Young people must never miss the blessing of be- 
ing kind and attentive to the old folk, for whom special 
service should be arranged for with the pastor. Plan 
to decorate the church carefully. It might not be out 
of place to fit up one corner of the audience-room like 
the old houses were furnished. Build a fireplace, and 
place a rag carpet and a spinning-wheel and an old, 
big-armed rocking-chair. Be sure to find all the old 
people that will come to the service. Send the happiest 
young people after them with easy-riding carriages. 
Suggest to your pastor that the service be as short as 

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Social Plans for Young People 

possible, as they will weary quickly. Think, pray, and 
plan to make this a sunny day in their memory. 
Follow it up by calling at frequent intervals on them 
with flowers and with a company who will sing after- 
wards. 

Heirloom and Old-Time Curios. 

It is well for people frequently to be made conscious 
of past progress and future possibilities. The world 
sometimes seems to move slowly. Everywhere, when 
we compare to-day with yesterday, advancement is 
bound to be recognized. Old things are as interesting 
to us as the present were to our fathers when first 
predicted. Nearly every one has some kind of a curio 
in his possession. It belongs to an ancestor, and 
was used regularly. It may be an old lard-lamp, or 
a steel flax comb, or a hand-made clothes-pin, or a 
button worn by one of our Revolutionary fathers. It 
is impossible to go into a home without finding some- 
thing of this sort. Suppose you announce a curio social. 
Request every one to bring a family heirloom or an 
interesting relic of other days. It will then be the 
duty of each one, at a given time, to tell another person 
all he knows about this particular thing. This can be 
done in couples. The lady first telling the gentleman 
about her curio, then the gentleman relating about his. 
After awhile it may be well to have the people exchange 
curios and see how much they can remember about 
what was told them. This can be conducted like a 

206 



Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

conversation circle. Two minutes are given, and then 
the gentleman moves up to the next lady. It is easy 
to tell about something that belongs to us. People who 
do not open their mouth often will be led to do so in 
this way. A collection of curios of all sorts might also 
be shown the same evening. Have an old settler tell 
stories of progress. For example, Western early-comers 
traveled in sheet-covered wagons. Our fathers went 
out to watch the letters fly along the telegraph wires 
when they first heard that messages were to be sent by 
wire. Some old person telling us about his boj^hood 
days would make the present look like a fairy dream. 
Ask some one else to read a prophetical paper. He 
could predict the coming of wings until they were as 
common as automobiles. He could weave in both fun 
and fact. Such an evening would be rich in profit and 
full of interest, as well as alive with fun. 

Reception to School Teachers and Board. 

Give the school teachers of the town a reception. 
There is no class of people anywhere who are doing a 
more important work for the future. It is also probable 
that few get so little encouragement and must stand 
so much unfair criticism. They need cheer, and they 
need to have the relation of religion and the Church to 
education frequently emphasized. It can not be better 
done than by treating them nicely and being good 
friends to them. They are important enough to de- 
serve a reception, and they are big enough to profit by 

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Social Plans for Young People 

it. Invite the School Board, and have one or two of 
them make speeches. They may be willing to tell some 
of the difficulties they meet in selecting and employing 
teachers, and in laying out the course of study, and in 
making the rules to be enforced. Get two or three of 
the teachers to speak. Let them retail a few of their 
problems and difficulties, and make suggestions as to 
how parents and Church workers can help them. Be- 
gin, of course, with a cordial and "praisy" welcome 
address. Have some one tell in a clear way how much 
we are indebted to and depend upon the teachers. Sat- 
urate whatever program is given with the feeling of 
good cheer and heartiness. Have unique refreshments 
and apt "favors." Let them see that the Church 
young people are wide awake and up to date. Make it 
a real event worth talking about afterwards. It can 
be given annually near the opening of the school. Be 
sure to have the parents there. It will be wise to 
invite and arrange for the children to stay away. Free 
talk and discussion is impossible if they are present. 

Reception to Mayor and Council. 

The Church may influence the city by other means 
than the one open on election day. Many religious 
reformers conclude that voting is the only method for 
advancing civic righteousness. To this class defeat at 
the polls means loss of opportunity until another elec- 
tion. If we can not get all we desire, effort should be 
expended to secure all that is possible. It is not neces- 

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Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

sary to approve an official's theories and actions, to be 
friendly with him. The bad element throw their influ- 
ence around all in authority. Good influence will be 
as effective in upbuilding as bad is in tearing down. 
The Church and its representatives should early ac- 
quaint itself with the ''powers that be." The Young 
People's Society usually has a good Citizenship Com- 
mittee. Too frequently they expend all time and 
strength in finding the bad things city officials do, or 
in making requests for improvement. A pry for a mov- 
ing lever is formed by discovering commendable things 
to approve. Every office-holder does at least a few 
good things. It is better to build up from this point 
than it is to "knock" the whole administration. Soon 
after election arrange a reception to the mayor and 
city council. Invite political leaders from both sides. 
Have a level-headed Churchman propose a few im- 
provements the Christian people would like to see 
brought about. Request the mayor to tell some things 
he hopes to accomplish. Endeavor to have as many 
Christian people present as possible. Do not limit the 
invitations to the local Church. Plan some way by 
which every one of them shall meet the mayor and his 
advisers. Make the acquaintance so clear and complete 
that when they meet on the street each will know the 
other. This will emphasize the fact that literally the 
eyes of good people are on the mayor. As he passes 
them on the street in the future, he will read approval 
or condemnation of his actions in their faces. He will 
*4 209 



Social Plans for Young People 

hunt the first, and avoid the second. Details must be 
carefully arranged to make this an attractive and 
effective reception. It might often be best to leave civic 
affairs out and only give cordial greetings to his Honor. 
The printed program should be novel and worth pre- 
serving. The committees must be well organized and 
brotherly. Every speaker will be warned against in- 
jecting pertinent politics or personal prejudices. Give 
the city officials a happy reception. Old memories will 
be stirred, moral backbone will be developed, and future 
righteous fruit will be insured. 

Parliamentary Drill. 

Ask your pastor or some well-trained person to take 
the chair some evening and give a drill in parliamentary 
tactics. It can be made full of interest and profit. 
Have some one introduce a ridiculous question, and 
have another try to make a point of order. Then an- 
other adds an amendment or a substitute. At this very 
moment some one else may move to adjourn. Each 
time the chair makes a ruling he gives the rule or reason 
which guided him. He may also suggest the proper 
way if a mistake is made. It is well to be posted in 
these things, for one can never tell when it will be 
valuable. 

The Subject of Riches. 

The whole problem of wealth can be considered in 
an evening program. Study the biographies of a few 

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Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

rich men. Inform the essayists that they are to con- 
sider the morals of both the men and the methods they 
employ. Invite a fine sociological teacher to discuss 
the question whether an honest man can in one life- 
time gather a great fortune. Another paper might in- 
terestingly deal with the study of the origin and history 
of 9ome one great fortune. For example: Vanderbilt 
started his by boating; the Astors laid their fortune 
foundation by purchasing city property and keeping 
it, etc. Ask the pastor to discuss the question whether 
it is wrong to desire to be rich. Request him to give 
information about John Wesley's ambition, and how 
nearly he reached it. The whole company coulH write 
on slips of paper an answer to the question, "Why I 
desire money?" Or, "What I would do with great 
wealth if I had it." Preserve these answers, for some 
of the young people writing them might forget about it 
in the days when real opulence comes. A debate could 
follow this program on a question, something like this : 
"Resolved, That poverty has done more for morals than 
riches." A long line of evidence can be gathered for 
both sides. 

Spending Money. 
Request a number to state what they would do with 
a dollar if it was given to them at that moment. Ask 
others to describe their use of one hundred dollars if 
it were presented. A few more might be asked to tell 
the company what they would do with ten thousand 
dollars if it were suddenly willed to them. 

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Social Plans for Young People 

Sides Competing in Earning Dollars. 

It is common to hold "dollar experience" socials. 
People tell what they did to earn a donated dollar. 
Much money has been gathered in this way. A val- 
uable feature may be added. Rivalry between two sides 
should be started. Appoint captains, and have them 
choose sides. No one is allowed to bring in more than 
a dollar, and that must be actually earned in an unusual 
way by the individual bringing it. Check up the sides, 
and see which one has the most individuals bringing in 
a dollar each. Invite three disinterested judges. After 
each person has told his story concerning the method 
of getting his dollar, let the judges choose the best one 
from each side. The "sides" may prefer to elect their 
own representatives. A jury is then chosen. The two 
representatives select lawyers. A judge is put, into the 
chair. The lawyers, by witnesses and through cross- 
examination of the client, strive to prove that his side 
earned a dollar in the most original and striking way. 
After the case is all in, the jury decides which one 
deserves the most credit. Such plans develop business 
ability and gather a large sum of money without work- 
ing a hardship on any one. 

Vacation Funds. 

The English Wesleyan Young People are employ- 
ing a very practical aid for those desiring a vacation. 
Early in the winter a group of people who wish to 

212 



Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

spend two weeks at some desirable vacation-giving 
place, meet and organize. Usually none of them are 
flush financially, and can reach the goal in sight only 
by putting apart a little money each week. When the 
twenty or more forming this group have organized, 
they at once investigate various suggested vacation 
points. In three or four weeks they have heard the 
evidence, and then are ready to decide. As soon as the 
location and the time is settled the treasurer receives 
weekly contributions, which are to be safely guarded 
until needed. If twenty people pay in fifty cents for 
twenty weeks, two hundred dollars will fatten the com- 
mon purse. This will usually furnish two good weeks 
of a happy and restful time if the company get together 
and do not demand extravagant provisions or a long 
journey. Many are thus enabled to secure a needed 
rest who would otherwise not get it. The social de- 
partment should father, back, and encourage such 
movements. Everlasting gratitude will pay for the 
effort along this line. If the company going out is thus 
nurtured, it can be heartily Christian in its purpose and 
doings. A spiritual atmosphere will be felt in the va- 
cation that will make it easy for the glad hearts of the 
company to turn with gratitude to Christ or even for 
the first time to make a place for Him as a life guest. 

Rubber Facts and Collection. 

An energetic Young People's Society had a "Rub- 
ber" social. Papers about the discovery, growth and 

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Social Plans for Young People 

manufacture of rubber were read. They prepared a 
list of things for which it is used, and distributed one 
to each person, who was to announce the article and 
tell either something about it or an experience it sug- 
gested. Pictures of the rubber tree can be distributed 
as favors. Taffy can be made and pulled. "Jello" 
and similar compounds may be used to prepare the re- 
freshments. Each one attending the social brings all 
the old rubber he can find or solicit, and this is sold 
and the proceeds used for some special "charity work." 

Fruit Donation and Exchange. 

Small Churches with town and country member- 
ships might assist the housewives as a feature of a 
social. Suppose the purpose of the entertainment is to 
secure canned fruit and jelly for the hospital or the 
Deaconess Home, or a similar institution within the 
Church's territory. Ask each to bring one or 
more jars to be donated. Announce that trading 
will also be arranged for. One good "frau" has more 
canned cherries than she desires to use. Another house- 
keeper has more canned strawberries than she wants to 
use. The first will bring five cans of cherries to trade 
with the other housewife, who has more canned straw- 
berries than she can use. The Young People's organi- 
zation must, of course, make some money out of the 
exchange, and so charges everybody five cents a jar for 
acting as agent. The "charge" feature may be omit- 
ted when each one is expected to bring one or more 

214 



Harnessing Enthusiasm to Practical Problems 

jars of fruit as a donation. The "exchange" would 
then simply be an attraction, and no one would be 
allowed to utilize it except those who donate some 
kind of fruit. 

Furnishing a House. 

Furnish a house by the two groups, in order, naming 
different things that can be put in it. When one group 
fails to name, the other chooses regularly. Furnish a 
church, a store, a carpenter's shop, a ship, a lawyer's 
office. Take up anything like this, and furnish it by 
telling what is needed. Every one can then be reached 
and use their fund of information. 

Shepherd and Trades. 
The "Shepherd" game is played in many ways. The 
following is the one suggested. The sides are chosen, 
and a shepherd over each one is appointed. A person 
not playing the game assigns some "active trade" on 
a slip of paper to each one. The shepherds go to the 
opposite side, they ask a question, and the one inter- 
rogated must answer by giving something that the trade 
he represents requires one to do. If the shepherd can 
then guess the trade, he has won that particular indi- 
vidual to his side. When he has won five people he 
is entitled to an assistant shepherd, who goes along the 
line with him trying to guess the trade of the people. 
The shepherd and his assistants keep energetically at 
work until they have won the opposite side. The 
shepherd first doing this is, of course, the champion. 

215 



CHAPTER X. 

Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers — 

Suggestions for Refreshments — 

Various Guessing Lists. 

Pleasure criticisers are common. It is easy to 
be over-cautious. We have a right to use harmless 
aids, which, if wrongly employed, might be harmful. 
Mirth-creating jokes and tricks, with no poisonous 
sting, are quite permissible. Hence I have ventured 
to give a few of this sort here. I do not give them care- 
lessly. They have been tried in all kinds of company 
through several years. They have never failed to 
awaken a statue-like company and to start a heartily 
happy evening if well followed up. They fit old as 
well as young, college as well as factory folk. There 
have never been any bad effects. Church crowds vary 
so widely that plans broad enough to reach all classes 
must usually be employed. 

Refreshments are a requisite in every sort of a social 
gathering. It is useless to decry the fact. Much in- 
terest and pleasure, as well as friend-making, can be 
secured by unique methods. It is foolish to make them 

216 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 

elaborate or expensive. Ingenuity and originality 
count more than quantity and cost. There is no reason 
why the "Society" crowd of the city should get up the 
most striking features. The Church is entitled to the 
newest and best. It is well for the individual working 
for Christ along social lines to have dozens of unusual 
smaller plans in reserve for the dragging and break- 
ing places in a social. A tiny book always in reach 
should hold these "fill in" suggestions. Nearly every 
social requires some genuine pleasure-provokers. If 
they are thought out by Christians, glad gratitude will 
turn towards religion. 

Small Fruit as a Clue. 

Tricks are arousing because they set every one to 
watching and thinking closely to discover the clue. 
There are so many good ones that it is almost presump- 
tion to name any. Select an alert confederate, and, 
sending him out of the room, ask the company to name 
an article which is not present in the room; for ex- 
ample, they select an apple in the State of Maine, or 
a house two miles away, or the north star. The chief 
spokesman begins by asking his confederate all kinds of 
questions. Each time, having been posted, he will 
know when to say "no." The spokesman always 
names the select article after naming a small fruit; for 
example: "Is it a dog?" "Is it a horse?" "Is it a 
house?" "Is it a pumpkin?" "Is it a cherry?" "Is it 
an apple in Maine?" The confederate will promptly 

217 



Social Plans for Young People 

say "y es " at the last question. The plan can be varied 
by naming two small fruits preceding the correct thing. 
Or a vegetable may be chosen. Or some gem may be 
named. Many will be sure that they discover the 
method, and will leave the room for a trial, only to 
fail utterly. 

Guessing Designated Persons. 

There are many ways of arousing the curiosity of 
people until the closest interest is obtained. The con- 
federate leaves the room, while the chief spokesman 
remains. As he goes out he notices who of the company 
speaks the last word. Now the spokesman chooses 
some one, declares that his confederate can tell who 
it is. To avoid being caught, he may change them 
three times on signal, if he has an alert confederate. 
The first time he picks the person who spoke last. The 
second time he takes the second person on the right 
from the last speaker. The third time he takes the 
next person on the left of the last speaker. When any 
one believes that he has discovered the plan, permit him 
to undertake the part of the confederate. It will be 
still more mysterious if he remains out of the room 
when this trial is made. The company can then make 
no charges of a secret signal. After the confederate 
has closed the door, the spokesman places his hand on 
the head of the last speaker and calls out for his con- 
federate to give the name. Of course, having remem- 
bered the last speaker, he is able immediately to do so. 

218 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 

Is It This? 

There are many methods of designating objects so 
that the confederate can discover them; for example: 
The spokesman points to one thing after another. 
Just before he comes to the object agreed upon by the 
company, he puts his finger on two other things, and 
says: "Is it this? Is it this? Is it that?" "Is it 
that?" marks the correct object. To complicate the 
matter, change it every other time, and say: "Is it 
that? Is it that?" and then, "Is it this?" And then, 
to still further complicate it, close the first finger over 
the second when you mean the final "Is it this?" to 
count. 

The Cane— "Do as I Do." 

There are a great many things that have the air of 
tricks which drill one in close observation and, at the 
same time, arouse curiosity and bring the crowd to- 
gether. Here is one used very frequently. Walk 
across the room, holding a cane and striking it to the 
floor, with a good many unusual and impressive ges- 
tures. As you do so, say: "You must do as I do, say 
as I say; 'boots,' without shoes; 'boots,' without shoes." 
Some one will soon be sure that he can do it. He 
will, doubtless, try his best to imitate you exactly to 
the last degree, handling the cane and making gestures 
just as you did. Of course, he will say what you said, 
and this will be wrong. You told him what to do. 
If he does it right he will merely walk across the floor, 

219 



Social Plans for Young People 

and say: "Boots, boots," and that will be all. You 
told him to do as you do; and that is, to walk across 
with the cane, and to say (inferred, as you tell him 
to say) : "Boots," without shoes; and if without the 
shoes, it would be simply "boots." It will be hard for 
them to catch this, and there will be much fun in 
finding that they are wrong when they exactly imi- 
tate you. 

Spilling the Whole Glass. 

Announce that you can fix a glass of water so that 
any one moving it will spill all of it. This will seem 
impossible. Take a glass and fill it full, then place a 
piece of common writing-paper over it. This will 
enable you to turn the glass upside down, without 
spilling the water, on the table. After this is done, 
remove the paper carefully, and the glass will be in- 
verted on the table. If any one now tries to move it, 
they will spill all the water. 

Mock Hypnotism. 

Jokes that create laughter and hurt no one's feelings 
are in place at every social. Appoint some dignified 
person to declare at a specified time that he can hypno- 
tize any one who offers. Of course, some person will 
be very positive that it is impossible in his case. Select 
the one most sure that he will not be affected. Use 
many false trials, so that this positive one will be sure 
that the claim to hypnotize is poorly grounded. Have 

220 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 

him sit in a chair, and use a stick, undertaking to make 
him believe it is a red-hot poker. Command him to 
put a chair over his head. Order him to repeat some 
silly little recitation. Of course, he will not do it un- 
less forced by the hypnotic spell. As hypnotism is not 
to be practiced, failure will, of course, result. After 
many such trials, which make the company incredu- 
lous, lead him over to the window. Take hold of his 
hand, place it against the glass. Wave your own hands 
over his head, touch him mysteriously, and finally say: 
"Do you feel a pane?" He will be serious about it, 
and think you mean "pain," and will indignantly deny 
that he is suffering. Then in all simplicity you will 
ask him what his hand is against, and how is it that he 
has lost the sense of feeling in his hand. When he dis- 
covers the point he and the company will have a hearty 
laugh. 

Bright Idea Discovered. 

A "bright idea" contest may also create merriment. 
A person is sent from the room. The company selects 
something in sight. For example, they name the end 
of the brass chandelier. The one outside is then re- 
called, and the following plan is pursued to enable him 
to discover the designated object. One of the com- 
pany declares: "I have a bright idea." The questioner 
replies: "What is it like?" The answer comes back: 
"It is like you." This leads to the further question: 
"In what respect?" and draws out the answer: "Be- 

221 



Social Plans for Young People 

cause it is 'dull.' " This is kept up by the different 
members of the company giving probably such an- 
swers as this: "Because it is cheap;" "Because it is 
brazen;" "Because it is near the light;" "Because it is 
only ornamental;" "Because it is stuck up," etc. By 
putting these various answers together, the interrogator 
will probably discover that it is the brass end of the 
chandelier. Untold laughter is created by the com- 
parisons, which are often ridiculous and entirely con- 
trary to the traits of the individual so contrasted. 

Tea-Kettle Word Discovery. 

Some person is sent from the room. The company 
selects a word that has three different meanings and 
spellings, though it is pronounced the same way. For 
example, "rain," "rein," "reign." Select the word, 
then recall the person in waiting. The company at 
once begins to make sentences containing one or more 
forms of the word selected. In this case it is "rain," etc. 
Instead, however, of using this word, they employ 
"tea-kettle." For example: "When it 'tea-kettles,' the 
driver holds on to his 'tea-kettles' if he expects to con- 
tinue to 'tea-kettle.' ' Of course, it is not necessary 
to use the word more than once in a sentence. It is 
here used several times, so that the plan may be un- 
derstood. It will readily be seen that in each place 
some form of "rain," etc., can be substituted for "tea- 
kettle." It will be surprising what unusual sentences 
can be formed and how ridiculous the word "tea-kettle" 

222 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 

sounds. It is the business of the appointed listener to 
discover what word the company has selected. When 
he does so, the person who by a sentence betrayed it 
must go out of the room for the next trial. 

Cork in a Square Hole. 

Furnish each person of the company with a board in 
which has been made a square hole. Give all of them 
a cork and a sharp knife, and set them to the work to 
exactly fit the cork to the hole. It will not be easy 
to shape the round cork so that it will fit. It will look 
easy, and the unexpected difficulty adds pleasure. 

Peanuts as Jackstraws. 

Peanuts can be effectively used as jackstraws. Take 
a handful of about twenty, and drop them on the table 
in a pile. Scatter them as little as possible as they are 
laid down. It is necessary to pick up one without 
moving any of the others. Give each individual one 
trial, in order, and see how many peanuts he can get 
to eat in this way. Of course, there can be several 
grouped at one table. The nervous person usually has 
poor success. It requires steadiness and skill to even 
get one, unless the pile is badly scattered. 

Buying Partners with Inches and Pounds. 

Have a good auctioneer dispose of the young ladies 
to the gentlemen, just before the refreshments are 

223 



Social Plans for Young People 

served. The ladies are all put into one room, and the 
gentlemen go into another. The auctioneer comes out 
and describes some one of the young ladies. He need 
not be too minute. Only general features are given. 
Some of the young men will promptly recognize the 
portraits. The tall fellow will now have an advantage. 
The bidding begins. Every man is allowed to bid a 
dollar for each inch contained in his height; thus men 
six feet high can go up to seventy-two dollars. The 
short fellow will get the girl nobody else wants, or 
else he will secure a fine companion because he recog- 
nizes a description where the others do not. The plan 
may be varied in many ways. The bidders may be 
allowed to use the pounds of weight as the designation 
of dollars, or the months or years of age may be taken. 
Anything can be employed about which there can be no 
discussion. To insure absolute fairness, every one could 
be very quickly measured or weighed. Sometimes the 
bidding is preceded, instead of a description by the 
auctioneer, by some other method of recognition. The 
girl passes in front of a sheet which will show her 
shadow. Or the unringed hand is put through the 
door. Or the nose shows itself through a hole in a 
cloth over the door. Or the toe of the shoe may be 
shown. Or the eye, appearing through a hole, might 
be looked into. Of course, the auctioneer must be 
tactful, good natured, and witty, and the company 
cheerful, hearty, and ready to carry out the plan. 



224 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 

Refreshments. 

Refreshments at socials should never be served for- 
mally or in an ordinary way. It is a poor policy to 
make them costly or numerous. Fine interest is added 
by employing unique methods for furnishing or for 
paying for them. 

Attendants Furnishing Refreshments. 

It is not always necessary for the committee to fur- 
nish the refreshments. In many of the small Churches 
they are gathered from a few folk who bake cakes and 
furnish coffee, milk, and so on. It is interesting to 
require every one to bring with them something that 
can be used for this purpose. At a recent Hallowe'en 
Social our young people made the following statement 
in the invitation to the party: "Every couple must bring 
a pumpkin pie. Every young man who comes without 
a lady must bring two apples. Every lady who comes 
without a gentleman escort must bring a sack of pop- 
corn." This was a nobby announcement and caught 
the eye. The plan provided almost enough to furnish 
refreshments for the whole company. It was only 
necessary to buy a few more things. If the demand is 
stiffly insisted upon, and so understood, practically 
everything needed will be provided. 

Charged by Weight. 

Each one may be charged for the refreshments ac- 
cording to weight; for example: Have the scales by 
J 5 225 



Social Plans for Young People 

the door. As a person comes in he is weighed and 
given a slip signed by the official weighmaster, certify- 
ing as to his correct bulk. Then he is compelled to 
pay one cent for every ten pounds he weighs. It is 
conceded that the heavy man will eat the most. 

Stature Measurement. 

A method frequently employed is, to measure a man's 
height and charge him three cents for every foot up to 
six feet. After this, make him pay two cents for each 
inch he is over six feet tall. 

Hats, Shoes, Etc.. 

Charge each one according to the size hat he wears, 
the number of his shoes, or the number of the collar, 
or even a penny for each year of his age. 

Alphabet Refreshments. 

Have an alphabet supper. Request each to bring 
something beginning with the letter "a" or the let- 
ter "b." For example: "B" would suggest beans, but- 
ter, bread, or bananas. Or request him to bring some- 
thing that begins with the same letter that his first or 
last name does. If the social is held in honor of some 
one, let him bring something that begins with any letter 
contained in that person's name. 

Number Menu. 

A great deal of curiosity is aroused and laughter pro- 
voked by a m)-sterious menu. Furnish every one with 

226 



. 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 

a card holding numbers I, 2, 3, up to 10. Each 
number represents something that is to be used for 
the evening refreshments. For example: Number 1 is 
tooth-picks; number 4, paper napkins; number 7, 
plates; number 9, a spoon. Ask each to check six 
articles that he wants served for his refreshments. 
Some will in this way secure nothing but plates, 
spoons, etc. It will be great fun to see what people 
really order. If another feature needs to be added, 
put a price after each number. If this deprives some 
altogether of refreshments, it will be well to then pass 
around and serve every one all the same thing, in 
addition to the things ordered. 

A MYSTERY MENU. 

Dissolved Diamonds. (Water.) 

An Oriental Square. (Paper napkins.) 

Infants' Delight. (Milk.) Chinese Cheer. (Tea.) 

Communication Cordial. (Coffee.) 

Crystallized Nectar. (Sugar.) 

Pearl of the Orient. (Rice croquettes.) 

A Product of the Desert. (Sandwich.) 

Cupids' Rations. (Pickles.) Hard Tacks. (Beaten Biscuit.) 

Concentrated Odors. (Onions.) 

Dyspepsia's Forerunner. (Pumpkin pie.) 

Condensed Sweetness. (Candy.) 

Small Boy's Stand-by. (Teacakes.) 

A Never-Failing Dessert. (Toothpicks.) 

Fish Pond and Lunch Boxes. 
Prepare a fish pond. This can be done in various 
ways. Borrow some boy's game of fish pond, and 

227 



Social Plans for Young People 

number each fish to correspond with the lunch-box 
which some young lady has brought. This person will 
then be the companion with whom the gentleman eats 
his lunch. Another method is, to use a fish pole and 
drop the line into a box where there is a young lady 
who is holding the pole. She fastens to it a bundle 
which contains a toy or trinket and some designation 
of the person with whom he is to eat lunch. The 
young man must then tell why this toy or trinket is 
an appropriate gift for the young lady with whom he 
is to lunch. He can do this after lunching, getting her 
help to work up his story. 

Miniature Items. 

Have all your refreshments on the miniature order. 
Cut your sandwiches one inch square. Serve tea in 
doll dishes. Buy wiener-wurst and cut into short 
lengths, a piece to be given to each person. Close up 
by presenting the eaters with a little red pepper candy 
drop. The ideas here are only suggestive. The details 
can be worked out locally. 

Beans Purchasing at a Counter. 

The old-fashioned lunch-counter causes interest. 
Sell twenty-five or fifty beans for ten cents. Have 
every article that is served priced in beans, so that each 
person can order what he likes. 

228 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 



A Penny for Your Thoughts. 

The following plan offers interest and pleasure m a 
simple way. A penny is attached with a string to a 
folded card, so that every one can look at it in the 
effort to answer the questions inscribed on the inside. 
The questions and answers follow. Of course, the 
answers are not put on the card. 

QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

1. A messenger One cent 

2. A symbol of victory Wreath 

3. A mode of punishment Stripes (in shield) 

4. A weapon An arrow 

5. A devoted young man Bow (beau) 

6. A piece of armor Shield 

7. A portion of a hill Brow 

8. A place of worship Temple 

9. An animal Hare (hair) 

10. Youth and old age 18, 90 (the date of the penny) 

11. One way of expressing matrimony United States 

12. A cultivated flower Laurel 

13. An emblem of royalty Crown 

14. A company of musicians Band 

15. A Southern fruit Dates 

16. Part of a book Leaves 

17. An instrument for inflicting punishment .Lashes 

18. Something children dislike to learn Letters 

19. What the Puritans sought Liberty 

20. Three instruments of warfare Three arrows 

21. The first to greet Columbus Indians 

22. A recess in the sea Mouth 

23. A narrow tract of land Xeck 

229 



Social Plans for Young People 



QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

24. Two sides of a vote Eyes and nose 

25. An empty title Name 

26. A short distance Knot 

27. A continent America 

28. A starting point One 

Bird-Guessing Contest. 

1. A flash of lightning on wing Bluebird 

2. An act of digestion Swallow 

3. Thy note from household clock is head Cuckoo 

4. Of "golden egg ,f fame Goose 

5. King of the water, as the air Kingfisher 

6. Trembling from flower to flower thou goest. 

Humming-bird 

7. The plaintive cry announces punishment. 

Whip-poor-will 

8. High their flight and crag their home Eagle 

9. In your song you give your brief, old-fashioned 

name Phoebe 

10. Gay in plumage, and equally proud Peacock 

11. Cooing 'neath barn rafters Pigeon 

12. Messenger -from babyland Stork 

13. An English emigrant bird of the street Sparrow 

14. Giant of the desert Ostrich 

15. Harbinger of spring Robin 

16. First name of a great religious reformer Martin 

17. Yellow captive of the cage. ~ Canary 

18. Named after the giant friend it warns. 

Rhinoceros bird 

19. A flash of white upon the sea Sea gull 

20. "Jenny" named in children's books Wren 

21. See my hanging nest on cottonwood tree Oriole 

22. Red-coated pontiff of Blue-Grass State. 

Kentucky cardinal 

230 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 



QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

23. Take away my "h,"" and you number me with the 

poor Pheasant 

24. Black robber of the corn fields Crow 

25. 'The voice of the is heard in the land". . .Turtle 

26. Long ago you frightened Mr. Poe Raven 

27. I sing the songs that others have sung Mocking bird 

28. Named for the animal that dairies need Cow bird 

29. A country in Europe Turkey 

30. Clack-winged, in crimson roses thou art dressed. 

Scarlet tanager 

31. Wingless and tailless Apteryx 

32. Singer famed by thousands Nightingale 

33. A merry brown Thrush 

34. A bird of the night, looking so wise Owl 

35. A country in Africa, and a domestic fowl . . . Guinea hen 

36. The mother hen must guard her brood against 

thee Hawk 

37. Stringed instrument, by ancients used Lyre bird 

38. You call "meow," and imitate your foe Cat bird 

39. That pouched bill, what shall it fill? Pelican 

40. I 'm always offered cracker Parrot 

41. A color, and a letter of the alphabet Blue jay 

42. Wanderer of the sea, omen of good luck Albatross 

43. "Bob White" you call Quail 

44. My name suggests good coasting Snow bird 

45. A symbol of perfect love Dove 

46. "Came chanticleer's muffled crow." Rooster 

47. Thou graceful water bird Swan 

48. Largest of the vultures, the Andes its home Condor 

49. Named after man's first earthly home Paradise 

50. Sacred bird of the ancient Egyptians '.Ibis 

P. S. — This game, with other valuable material, was sent 

out by Rev. Peter Jacobs, of Silver City, Fourth Vice- 
President of Iowa State Epworth League. The answers 
231 



Social Plans for Young People 

are, of course, omitted from the cards delivered to the 
guests. 

A Game of Trees. 

QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

i. What is the most social tree ? Pear 

2. What is the dandiest tree ? Spruce 

3. What is the most languishing tree? Pine 

4. What tree is a chronologist ? Date 

5. What is the most industrious tree? Scrub oak 

6. What is the most unhealthy tree? Sycamore 

7. What is the most yielding tree? Gum tree 

8. What is the most venerable tree? Elderberry 

9. What is the schoolmaster's tree ? Birch 

10. What is the trembling tree?. .' Quaking aspen. 

11. What is the parent tree ? Pawpaw 

12. What tree is nearest the sea ? Beech 

13. What tree is the most warmly clad? Fir 

14. What is the saddest tree? Weeping willow 

15. What tree bore a curse? Apple tree 

16. What tree do you hold in your hand? Palm 

17. What tree is saved from the fire? Ash 

18. What is the baker's tree? Bread fruit 

P. S. — Answers omitted on the cards delivered to guests. 

"A Garden of Peas." 
Take a "P" from 

1. A medicine, and get sick Pill, ill 

2. A board, and get thin ' Plank, lank 

3. A rind, and get a fish Peel, eel 

4. A dish, and get tardy Plate, late 

5. A free ticket, and get a donkey Pass, ass 

6. Courage, and get good fortune Pluck, luck 

7. A minister, and get a fiery crime Parson, arson 

8. A portion, and get skill divine Part, art 

232 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 



QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

9. Idle talk, and get a baby's toy Prattle, rattle. 

10. A proud dandy, and get a carriage Prig, rig 

11. A flower, and get a writing-fluid Pink, ink 

12. A pledge, and get illumination Plight, light 

13. Short, quick breath, and get an insect Pant, ant 

14. A squeeze, and get a unit measure Pinch, inch 

15. A carpenter's tool, and get a narrow street. .Plane, lane 

16. A clergyman, and get a millionaire's name. 

Pastor, Astor. 

17. A locality, and get a dress trimming Place, lace 

18. A precious stone, and get a title of nobility. .Pearl, earl 

19. A tropical tree, and get a gift to the poor Palm, aim 

20. A puncture, and get a pile of hay Prick, rick 

21. A surgeon's instrument, and get a garment. 

Probe, robe 
P. S. — The answers are, of course, omitted on cards 
given to guests. 

Cousin Kate. 

1. Kate pleads successfully Advocate 

2. Kate is frail and weak Delicate 

3. Kate puts others' money to dishonest use Defalcate 

4. Kate occasionally gets out of joint Dislocate 

5. Kate makes everything double Duplicate 

6. Kate loves to teach Educate 

7. Kate loves to help out of difficulties Extricate 

8. Kate upsets and destroys Eradicate 

9. Kate invokes evil Imprecate 

10. Kate prays fervently Supplicate 

11. Kate makes things run smoothly Lubricate 

12. Kate uses her teeth Masticate 

13. Kate is sometimes untruthful Prevaricate 

14. Kate is smothered Suffocate 

15. Kate points out clearly Indicate 

233 



Social Plans for Young People 

QUESTIONS. . ANSWERS. 

16. Kate foretells future events Prognosticate 

17. Kate foregoes a royal estate Abdicate 

18. Kate goes into the country Rusticate 

P. S. — Omit answers on cards given to guests. 

The "Ate" Added. 

The following suggestions, taken from What to Eat, 
may prove of value as an ice-breaker: 

To each guest give a card, on one side of which is 
a dainty pen-and-ink sketch of some vegetable, an 
artistic bunch of celery, lettuce, or fruit. On the oppo- 
site side have the heading, "How Some Other People 
Ate." Below have the following statements, the de- 
scriptions to be answered by words ending in "ate:" 

No. 1 never ate alone Associate 

No. 2 never ate with his superiors Subordinate 

No. 3 ate very daintily Delicate 

No. 4 ate in the most lusty way Invigorate 

No. 5 ate like somebody" else Imitate 

No. 6 ate so that he constantly grew worse Deteriorate 

No. 7 ate in the high places Elevate 

No. 8 ate in a way that compelled attention Fascinate 

No. 9 ate with other representatives Delegate 

No. 10 ate with the politicians Candidate 

No. 11 never ate to-day what he could leave until 

to-morrow Procrastinate 

No. 12 ate so his food was well chewed Masticate 

No. 13 ate more than was necessary Exaggerate 

No. 14 was the last one to eat Terminate 

P. S. — Omit answers from cards given to guests. 

234 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 



The Age Game. 

Give each guest a slip of paper and a pencil. Then 
let the following list be read, and opposite the appro- 
priate number let each write the single word which, in 
his opinion, answers the description. Read the answer 
to the first, as a sample. 

QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

i. The age for the expressman Baggage 

2. The disastrous age -. Wreckage 

3. The age of great things Tonnage 

4. The musical age Bandage 

5. The feudal age Vasalage 

6. The age of no progress Stoppage 

7. The dog age Courage 

8. The intoxicating age Rummage 

9. The age of slavery Bondage 

10. The age for noblemen Peerage 

11. The age of free transit Passage 

12. The age of soothing ointments Salvage 

13. The age for letters Postage 

14. The age of clothing Garbage 

15. The feather age Plumage 

16. The doctor's age Pillage 

17. The imprudent age Sausage 

18. The age for pious travelers Pilgrimage 

19. The pygmy age Shortage 

20. The money age Coinage 

21. The age that grows -less Shrinkage 

22. The age that some women long to share in Suffrage 

23. The age without refinement Corsage 

24. The age of bloodshed Carnage 

25. The age for cattle Pasturage 

26. The age without women Manage 

235 



Social Plans for Young People 

QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

27. The vehicle age Cabbage and cartage 

280 The age of gentle, modest manners and appear- 
ance Demurrage 

29. The age when "Uncle Tom's Cabin" will be most 

popular Stowage 

After the list is completed, each person will pass 
his paper to his right-hand neighbor, and then the an- 
swers will be read, and each list will be marked. 

The "Man" Completer. 

Have outlines of a man drawn on cards, and cut 
these in two, putting each half of the card in a differ- 
ent box, one for young men and one for young women. 
These must be passed around and matched. Pictures 
of men in the advertising books, obtained at the cloth- 
ing store, may be used for these cards. Strips of paper 
containing as many numbers as is desirable may then 
be passed, one paper to each couple. A few minutes 
will be given to writing opposite the appropriate num- 
ber the word which, in their opinion, answers each de- 
scription as it is read; then the answers will be read, 
and each list marked. 

1. The man to be avoided Mansion 

2. The traveling man Mango 

3. The colonial sick man Manila 

4. The untruthful man Manly 

5. The gossiping man Mantel 

6. The Russia-Chinese man Manchuria 

7. The stable man Manger 

8. The Hindoo man Brahman 

236 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 



QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

9. The court man Mandamus 

10. The dye man Human 

1 1. The man of the wood Mangrove 

12. The physician Manicure 

13. The literary man Manuscript 

14. The noted stage man Mansfield 

15. The righting man Man-of-war 

16. The ladies' man Mantua 

17. The prospector Manor 

18. The married man Herman 

19. The great English manufacturer Manchester 

20. The many-sided man Manifold 

21. The oarsman Roman 

22. The interpreter of the East Dragoman 

23. The man who has charge of a football team. 

Coachman 

24. The porcelain man Chinaman 

25. The Hebrew's man of the desert Manna 

26. The sailor Seaman 

27. The Chinese man Mandarin 

28. The man of the lower regions Fireman 

29. The shopman Salesman 

30. The man who interests Hall Caine Manxman 

31. The cannibal Man-eater 

32. The English farmer Yeoman 

33. The Canadian Manitoba 

34. The musical man Mandolin 

35. The New York hatter Manhattan 

36. The young man with many engagements Mandate 

37. The white man snow-man 

A Flower Puzzle. 
Guess the names of flowers from the following slips, 
which are pinned around the room. 
237 



Social Plans for Young People 



QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

i. An animal, and a covering for the hand Foxglove 

2. A bird, and a part of a horseman's equipment. 

Larkspur 

3. A girl's name, and a precious metal Marigold 

4. Fragrant letters Sweet peas 

5. Precise, and a girl's name Primrose 

6. A primary color, and a society girl Bluebell (e) 

7. A feminine title of respect, and that which is 

worn on the foot Lady slipper 

8. A piece of wood covered with gold Goldenrod 

9. An insect covered with fine earth Dusty miller 

10. Roman numerals Ivy (IV) 

11. A part of the hand. Palm 

12. Two names for a girl Rosemary 

13. A certain time of day Four-o'clock 

14. A condiment and a place where money is coined. 

Peppermint 

15. To break, and a fabulous animal Snapdragon 

16. Any untruth, and to want Lilac 

17. Fragrant, and a boy's name. Sweet-william 

18. The name of a prominent New Yorker Astor 

19. A small animal and to pinch Catnip 

A Musical Romance. 

1. What was the heroine called? "Sweet Marie" 

2. What was the hero's name? "Robin Adair" 

3. Where was he born ? "Dixie" 

4. Where was she born? 

"Way down upon the Suwanee River" 

5. Where did they meet? "Comin' thro' the rye" 

6. At what time of the day? "In the gloaming" 

7. When did he propose? "After the ball was over" 

8. What did he say? 

"There 's only one girl in this world for me" 
238 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 



QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. 

g. What did she say ? . . I '11 leave my happy home for you" 

10. Where was her home "Maryland, my Maryland" 

ii. What did he then bid her? "A soldier's farewell" 

12. What did the band play ? . . . "The girl I left behind me" 

13. Where did he go? "Georgia camp-meeting" 

14. Where did he spend that night? 

"Tenting on the old camp ground" 

15. What did the band play when he came back? 

"When Johnny comes marching home" 

16. Where were they married? "Old Kentucky home" 

17. Who were the brideniaids ? . . ."Two little girls in blue" 

18. Who furnished the music? "Whistling Rufus" 

19. Who furnished the wedding breakfast? 

"Annie Laurie" 

20. Where did they make their home? 

"On the banks of the Wabash" 

21. What was their motto? "Home, sweet home" 

22. Where did they always remain? "America" 

P. S. — The answers are omitted from the list furnished 

the guests. 

Pictorial Titles. 

A popular form of entertainment consists of passing 
about among a company cards having pictorial repre- 
sentations of titles of well-known books, the cards be- 
ing numbered. Each person has a blank card, upon 
which he is to write all the numbers and as many of 
the titles as he can guess. 

The purpose of this list is to give some titles which 
can be easily represented by pictures to be found in the 
advertising pages of the magazines. Cut out and 
mount the pictures, and under them write or print the 

239 



Social Plans for Young People 

name of the author as a clew. Now and again the 
word "the" must be written if it is a part of the title. 

i. "Bracebridge Hall," by Washington Irving. — A pair 
of suspenders, a bridge, and a hall. 

2. "Essay on Man," by Alexander Pope. — Upper part of 

a nude man, with the letters "S, A" upon his body. 

3. "Les Miserables," by Victor Hugo. — Boy crying, dog 

howling, man limping on crutches, boy with a 
swollen fae*% -etc. 

4. "With Fire aiid Sword," by Henryk Sienkiewicz. — 

House burning, and an officer's sword. 

5. "Ivanhoe," by Sir Walter Scott. — An eye, a van, and 

a hoe, or letters "H O." 

6. "The Pioneers," by James Fenimore Cooper. — Three 

boj'S in profile, each showing one ear, on which are 
the letters p, i, e. 

7. "bucile," by "Owen Meredith." — A shoe having the 

heel partly detached (loose heel). 

8. "Innocents Abroad," by "Mark Twain." — A long, nar- 

row capital "A" (in no sense "A" broad). 

9. "Foul Play," by Charles Reade. — A hen, and some 

little children playing musical instruments. 

10. "Seven Seas," by Rudyard Kipling. — Seven capital 

"C :" of different sizes and styles. 

11. "Black Rock," by "Ralph Connor." — A dark picture 

of Gibraltar. 

12. "All Sorts and Conditions of Men," by Sir Walter 

Besant. — Men of different occupations and dress. 

13. "Little Men," by Louisa M. Alcott— Boys of different 

styles. 

14. "The Pirate," by Sir Walter Scott. — A woman with a 

pie and the advertised price of the fare to some 
city, as "New York, and return." 

240 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 

15. "The Daisy Chain," by Charlotte M. Yonge. — A daisy 

and a chain. 

16. "Woodstock," by Sir Walter Scott. — Pieces of wood, 

and a lady's fancy stock. 

17. "The Chain-Bearer," by James Fenimore Cooper. — 

A chain, and an Eastern water-carrier. 

18. "Little Women," by Louisa M. Alcott — Girls of dif- 

ferent sorts. 
' 19. "Persuasion," by Jane Austen. — A nurse coaxing a 
willful child. 

20. "To Have and To Hold," by Mary Johnston.— A girl 

with a box of candy, giving some to a man, and 
a stocking-supporter shown on the leg. 

21. "Pendennis," by William Makepeace Thackeray. — A 

fountain pen and an Irishman. 

22. "Pickwick Papers," by Charles Dickens. — A pick (la- 

borer's), a wick (carboy, "sunlight"), and papers. 

23. "The Moonstone," by Wilkie Collins. — The moon and 

a stone. 

24. "Mr. Isaacs," by Marion Crawford. — "Mr." (in 

writing), three or more eyes, and an axe. 

Historical Facts. 

(If she did n't, who did?) 

1. Pocahontas wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin." 

Harriet B. Stowe 

2. Roosevelt invented the telephone Bell 

3. Harriet B. Stowe discovered X-rays Roentgen 

4. DeWolf Hopper wrote "Looking Backward". .Bellamy 

5. Carrie Nation saved Captain John Smith . . Pocahontas 

6. Napoleon was a Woman's Suffrage advocate. 

Susan B. Anthony 

7. Sousa painted "Christ Before Pilate" Munkacsy 

16 241 



Social Plans for Young People 

8. Noah was an English philosopher Bacon 

9. DeSoto wrote "Trilby" DuMaurier 

10. Coxey crossed the Rubicon Caesar 

11. Susan B. Anthony was a Chinese philosopher. 

Confucius 

12. Cook was a Greek fabulist ^Esop 

13. Mahomet is a free-silver advocate Bryan 

14. Columbus built the ark Noah 

15. Caesar is an American comedian DeWolf Hopper 

16. Roger Bacon was born at Mecca Mahomet 

17. DuMaurier conducted the Battle of Manila Dewey 

18. George Washington captured Aguinaldo Funston 

19. Bryan discovered America Columbus 

20. Edison painted the "Reading of Homer." 

Alma Tadema 

21. Confucius conducts tourists through Europe Cook 

22. ^Esop smashes saloons in Kansas Carrie Nation 

23. Roentgen died at St. Helena Napoleon 

24. Martin Luther is a great band leader Sousa 

25. Bunyan discovered the Mississippi DeSoto 

26. Bellamy led an army Coxey 

27. Munkacsy was a great reformer Martin Luther 

28. George Dewey never told a lie George Washington 

29. Alma Tadema is president .Roosevelt 

30. Funston wrote "Pilgrim's Progress" John Bunyan 

P. S. — The authors and the titles are mixed up, but all 

are named some place in the list. Place them correctly. 
Correct answers are omitted from cards given to guests. 

Alphabet for Bible Characters. 

A — First man Adam 

B — Favorite son of Jacob Benjamin 

C — A murderer _ Cain 

D — Prophet cast into den of lions Daniel 

242 



Miscellaneous Pleasure Provokers 



E — Prophet fed by ravens Elijah 

F — Governor of Csesarea Felix 

G — A giant Goliath 

H — Son of Noah ( Ham 

I — Son of Abraham Isaac 

J — Man swallowed by whale Jonah 

K — Saul's father Kish 

Lj— Poor man covered with sores Lazarus 

M — Oldest man Methuselah 

N — Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi 

O — Ruth's sister-in-law Orpah 

P — An apostle Paul 

Q — One whom Paul called a brother Quartus 

°— Isaac's w' r e Rachael 

S — Man who built the temple Solomon 

T — One who knew the Scriptures from a child...'. .Timothy 
U — One who put forth his hand to stay the ark of 

God, and God smote him Uzzah 

V — A beautiful queen Vashti 

Z — Man who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. 

Zaccheus 
P. S. — Omit answers from lists given guests. ' 



243 



INDEX. 

A 

** PAGE 

Absent friends and members recalled 15 

Accidents experienced, Worst 177 

Acquainted by calling name of partner 100 

Accomplishments, Youth rejoices over 10 

Adjective and noun illustrated 53 

Advertisements representing book titles 239 

Advertisements used, List of 79 

Advertising recognized, Samples of 78 

Advertising with costumes 143 

Advice and opinion compared 54 

Aged and sick, Letters to 188 

Alphabet trips 117 

Animal characteristics applied to people. . 52 

Animal characters described 52 

Animals, People drawing parts of 52 

Apples, List of names of 31 

Apple peelings, Fortune telling from 33 

Apple initials, pies and poems 29 

Apples, Peeling and coring 33 

Aprons worn as a penalty by men 41 

Art clustering around Christ 171 

Asbury and Peter Cartwright 168 

Atchison, Kansas, corn carnival 74 

Auctioning lunch-boxes with beans 36 

Author studied, One 137 

B 

Badges for all members 196 

Bait that catches 13 

Banquet for church attending Juniors 186 

Barn, Led through streets to 66 

"Bay View" reading circle 138 

Bean bags to alternating representatives 43 

Beans and tooth-picks , 46 

245 



Index 



PAGE 



Benevolence evenings, Inspiring 162 

Benevolent work arouses 155 

Bible characters supplied to questions 242 

Biographical sub-divisions ' 145 

Birds recognized from sentences 230 

Bird-study evening 72 

Birthday greetings, Bound volume of 193 

Book consequences with authors, etc 53 

Book lists prepared 53 

Book-making described 141 

Books impersonated 139 

Books of the generation, Best 136 

Book-taster's suggestions, A « 138 

Book titles represented 240 

Bright idea discovered 221 

Brightness crowned in games 112 

Business college students, Attracting 151 

Butterflies from tube paints 55 

"Buzz" for a Circle 84 

C 

Calendar exhibition 60 

Cane and "Do as I do," The 219 

Captains, All comers assigned to 90 

Cast off articles and why 98 

Charitable work, Provisions and clothing for 191 

Choir service, Recognizing 183 

Christmas, Origin of 170 

Christmas, Teaching possible at 170 

Church exterior beautified 183 

Church interesting itself in public officers, The 208 

Churches contributing to denominational study, Local. 165 

Church members, Reception to new 184 

City problems in Councils 76 

City, Study and advance home 21 

"Cliques" broken by fines 86 

Clothes-pins passed 42 

Clothing with a social, Gathering 191 

College encouraged, Christian 153 

Club, A Christian social ^ 17 

Commercial ability exhibited 107 

Committee meeting around a table 180 

Committees in contest for members 195 

246 



Index 



PAGE 

Confederate naming unseen person 218 

Contest socials by divisions 16 

Conversation about old-time curios 206 

Conversation representing book 140 

Conversationalist, Choosing the best 127 

Cork in a square hole 222, 

Corn carnival possibilities 74 

Country, State, city, or church, Study realistically 23 

D 

Dance with better fun. Supplant the , 37 

Days of the year to be celebrated 57 

Deaconess Home, Fruit for 214 

Deaconess movement, Encouraging 200 

Debates, Appointed and general 148 

Declaration of Independence, Incidents around the. . . . 130 

Defining a rhyming word 120 

Definitions written out 149 

Democratic and Republican paper, Preparing 143 

Denominational government, Illustrating 167 

Denominational study 165 

Denominations, Study of different 164 

Depot, Reproducing a railroad 34 

Descriptions of individuals identified, Written 106 

Doctrines debated 148 

Dollars earned by competing sides. ...... 212 

Dolls made from clothes-pins j 45 

E 

Eating times attract and assist 180 

Egg-carrying race 42 

Entertaining near-by organizations 17 

Examination paper, Prize for the poorest 149 

Exchanging fruit 214 

Exhibitions of calendars by groups 60 

F 

Faces to be identified, Celebrated 147 

Fair booths apportioned to week-days 80 

Fame, Voting members to a Hall of 146 

'"Favorites" betraying individuals 106 

Feast illustrates gospel invitation 8 

247 



Index 



Fee to purchase badge, Initiation 196 

Fiction and magazines, Recent > 138 

Figures formed from colored paper 39 

Fines collected by policeman 38 

First things related 113 

Flags and governments, National 75 

Flags presented at patriotic seasons 182 

Flowers furnished for the pulpit 181 

Flowers identified from sentence 237 

Flowers manufactured by guests no 

Flowers presented at services 182 

Flowers studied and utilized 73 

Fortune-telling aids 66 

Fortune-telling, Mysterious 54 

Fruit as a clue, Small : 217 

Fruit donation and exchange 214 

Funds, Captains and groups for special 189 

Funny stories, Prearranged 34 

G 

Girls' destiny settled 68 

Governments studied with flags 75 

Great men, Lessons from living 131 

Greetings for new guests 69 

Groups naming towns 122 

Groups under captains for features 90 

Guessing by asking, "Is it this ?" 219 

Guessing designated persons 218 

Guessing from "bright idea" 221 

Guessing pages and words 82 

Guessing represented musical terms 174 

Guests hunted up 88 

H 

Hallowe'en suggestions 65 

Handshaking in "shake down" 26 

Handkerchief, Music for drop the 103 

"Head" changed to "tail" 116 

Health workers, Poor 177 

Heirloom and old-time curios 206 

Hidden for discovery, Articles 82 

Historical events traded 121 

Historical questions and answers 241 

248 



Index 



PAGE 

Historian's exhibit, Church 185 

Home State, Reception in honor of old 19 

Horseshoe exhibit 67 

Hospital study and evening 199 

House, Furnishing a 215 

Houses representing countries, States, etc 23 

Hypnotism, Mock 220 

Illustrating events 51 

Initials of name for answers 103 

Intelligence recognized in socials 112 

J 

Jack straws, Peanuts as 223 

Juniors, Encouraging the 186 

Juvenile court study 204 

K 

Knowledge tested by examination paper 149 

Kodak work exhibited . . . 71 

L 

Lawn improvement carnival 183 

Lead letters, Meaning of 68 

Leaves, Identifying fall 149 

Lecturers, Lists of 151 

Legislatures, Councils, Trial, Mock 76 

Letter-writing, A follow-up system of Christian 187 

Library, Flesh and blood 139 

Lincoln's Birthday suggestions 61 

Lindsey and the juvenile court 205 

Lunch counter, Beans purchasing at a 228 

M 

Madonna exhibition and explanation 171 

"Man" employed in a word to be identified 236 

Mandolin or glee club 18 

Medal given for missionary essay 159 

Meeting-place for girls, Hidden 65 

Members, Contest for securing 195 

Members, Secure aid of retired 14 

Methodist "shake-down" 26 

Mill and factory study, Local 74 

249 



Index 



PAGE 

Mission debate. Home and Foreign 160 

Missions facts in regular programs 157 

Mission study, A hearing for 187 

Mission study, Local aid for 156 

Missionary essay and facts 157 

Missionary essay medal contest 159 

Missionary incidents, Ludicrous 158 

Missionary letter essays, Realistic 158 

Missionary movement, The young people's 155 

Missionaries' names, exhibiting knowledge of 161 

Missionary receptions, Utilizing costumed guests at... 159 

Missionary scrap-book, Forming a 157 

Money and its use 211 

Money for old rubber 213 

Money-making in church buildings 80 

Money raised by contest socials 16 

Music decorations and representations 173 

Musical hunt, A 174 

N 

Names learned by defending partner 100 

Native sons noticed 19 

Needles threaded by men 44 

Negro problem a study, The 202 

Negro success illustrated 203 

Newcomers assigned to individuals 25 

Newspaper history and make-up 141 

Newspaper, Members getting up a 142 

Numbers or letters pinned on for grouping 92 

Numbers suggest events 84 

O 

Ocean and European travel enacted Jj 

Official board, Illustrating 167 

Officials, Letters to public 189 

Old-fashioned country social 29 

Old folks at church 205 

Organization brings results 190 

P 

Packages exchanged, Personal 98 

Parliamentary drill 210 

250 



Index 



Partner defended by self-control 101 

Partners from cobweb ioo 

Partners from fish pond 228 

Partners with inches and pounds, Buying 223 

Pastors presenting badges 196 

Patriotism and the "Declaration" 130 

Penny used to answer questions 229 

Photographs to be recognized, Partially covered 34 

Photography display, Amateur 71 

Piano, Plan employed for purchasing 189 

Pictures, Doors framing living 50 

Pie socials and features 29 

Pioneers noticed 20 

Pleasure criticisers 216 

Poems distributed in lines, and grouped 96 

Poetry written by company, Rhyming.. 120 

Politics in a home prepared paper 143 

Popcorn and crackers contest 40 

Postal card shower 194 

Prayer for absent members : 15 

Preachers' lives, Pioneer 168 

Predicaments, Questions about 113 

Prison interests studied 204 

Prisoners encouraged, Help for 204 

Prizes, Obj ections to . . 10 

Problems taken up, Practical 198 

Program arranged by numbers 49 

Pronouncing test with sentences, A 126 

Proverb, Guessing a 105 

Proverb, Shouting a 104 

Pulpit supplied with flowers 181 

Pumpkin pies marked with letters 68 

Punch," "Fruice" a name for 202 

Q 

Questions to be answered, Various lists of 229 

Age game, The 235 

Alphabet for Bible characters 242 

"Ate" added, The 234 

Bird names from sentences, Guessing 230 

Cousin "Kate" words 233 

Flower puzzle, A 237 

Garden of peas, A 232 

251 



Ind 



ex 



PAGE 

Questions to be Answered — Continued. 

Historical facts 241 

"Man" completer 236 

Musical romance, A 238 

Penny for your thoughts, A 229 

Pictorial titles 239 

Trees identified from catchy questions 232 

Quartettes formed spontaneously 97 

Questions and answers, Pairing 99 

Quotations fitted together, Cut-up 95 

Quotations identified 103 

R 

Rallies, Ice melting at 90, 194 

Reader's report 139 

Reading circle and pledge 138 

Reception card, Pastor's 108 

Reception to mayor and council 208 

Reception to new Church members 184 

Reception to- school teachers and Board 207 

Receptions, Monthly church 29 

Refreshments, Alphabet 226 

Refreshments, Attendants furnishing 225 

Refreshment menu, Numbers for ' 226 

Refreshments, Mystery menu for 227 

Refrigerator filled alphabetically 85 

Register for strangers 88 

Religion related to everything 113 

Resident State, Acquainted with 20 

Rest-rooms at fairs 192 

Reviews of one book, Three 137 

Riches, the subject of 210 

Rose facts and lessons 73 

Rubber facts and collection 213 

Rulers and governments studied 132 

S 

Saloon destroj^ed by Anti-Saloon League 200 

Satan owning the world 56 

School and Church closely related 207 

School days, Old-time 152 

School teachers and Board, Reception to 207 

Scripture passage, Sentences from 170 

252 



Index 



PAGE 

Scripture verse, Cut-up 169 

Seasons of the year represented 71 

Self-control tested by questions '. . 101 

Sentence from capital letters 117 

Sentences to be pronounced 126 

Sentences with words of same letter 117 

Seventh Social scheme 48 

Shadow people and events . .' 51 

"Shake down," Methodist 25 

Shopping lists betraying individuals 105 

Sleep and dreams program 129 

Social life, Purposeful 180 

Social occasions, Jesus approves 6 

Social plans gathered by contest 14 

Socials, Prepared for unusual demands at 217 

Songs described, Favorite 172 

Songs making a story, Popular 238 

Songs, Native and national 132 

Songs, Singing popular no 

Souvenirs described, Trip collected 69 

Souvenir for denominational study 164 

Special days, List of 57 

Spelling down variations , . 124 

Spelling self-assigned words 124 

"Spy" and subjects handled 123 

Stiffness banished in a crowd 83 

Story composed by different members 94 

Story cut up and distributed no 

Strangers' names to be located 88 

Strangers secured in contests 24 

Strangers sought out 87 

Strangeness eradicated 86 

Students looked after, Business college 151 

Students turned to Christian college 153 

T 

"Tea kettle" word discovery 222 

Temperance progress noticed 201 

Time to be valued 134 

Tooth-picks, Beans from saucers with 46 

Towns named by groups 122 

Trades, Shepherd and 215 

Trading beans and numerals 107 

253 




Index 



PAGE 

Trading historical events 121 

Travelers' experiences depicted 34, jj 

Trees described b}' questions 232 

Trials, legislatures, councils, Mock 76 

Tricks used to amuse 217 

Tube paints and butterflies 55 

U 

Umbrella admission and drill. . . 39 

"Uncle Ned" movements for stiffness 83 

Unions, Supper for city young people 194 

"Up Jenkins," Progressive 47 

V 

Vacation funds for young people 212 

Vacation recitals in the fall 69 

Valentine's Day, Program for St 62 

Valentine postoffice 64 

Vocations represented by successful men 144 

W 

Warren, Birthday greetings to Bishop 193 

Water, Spilling the whole glass of 220 

Weight and height to get partners 225 

Whistle after eating crackers 41 

Wild oats sown 13 

Woman's ability emphasized 200 

Word by "tea kettle," Discovering 222 

Words described by "Kate" 233 

Words formed from people's names : 87 

Words jumbled up 1 18 

Words quickly named from letters 115 

Words recognized by an "ate" 234 

Word suggesting another, One 116 

Words with an "age" added 235 

Y 

Young people saving money for vacation 212 

Young people utilized for Church work 179 

Youth's enthusiasm harnessed to problems 199 



254 
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